Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-05

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

Student answer (Band 8.0)

Dear John,

I hope you are doing well. I am doing well too.

Recently, I had a medical emergency and had to take an extended leave from work. As you know, I was working on a contract basis, and during my absence, my project manager assigned my responsibilities to another colleague in order to complete the project on time. Unfortunately, this resulted in the termination of my contract.

I am writing to ask for your help in finding a new job. I am looking for a position as an IT Project Lead, as I have eight years of experience in the IT industry. Although I have been applying for jobs through classified advertisements and online job portals, I would really appreciate it if you could also try to help me through your professional network.

Since you are working in the same field and are also running an IT consultancy, I believe you may know of some suitable opportunities or have contacts who could assist me. I would be very grateful if you could recommend me to any potential employers or let me know about relevant openings.

I look forward to hearing from you soon. Please convey my best regards to your family as well.

Thank you for your help and support.

Best regards,

Sushi

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response effectively addresses all parts of the task. You have clearly explained the reason for your contact, provided context regarding your previous employment, and articulated a specific request for assistance. The tone is consistently appropriate for a formal letter to a professional acquaintance. The ideas are well-developed and logical, ensuring the reader understands exactly what you need. There are no omissions, and the purpose of the letter is clear from the opening paragraph to the closing. The structure is well-suited to the requirements of a General Training Task 1 letter.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The letter is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph serves a distinct purpose: the introduction sets the context, the second paragraph explains the situation, the third makes the request, and the final paragraph provides a polite closing. Cohesive devices such as 'Although', 'Since', and 'In order to' are used effectively to link ideas. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different stages of your request. The flow is smooth, and the relationship between the ideas is easy to follow throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for a professional context. Phrases like 'medical emergency', 'extended leave', 'contract basis', and 'professional network' are used accurately. There is a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey your meaning with precision. While the vocabulary is functional and accurate, it could be further elevated to reach a higher band by incorporating more sophisticated collocations or idiomatic professional expressions. However, the current usage is natural and entirely appropriate for the task, with no errors in word choice that impede communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The grammar is highly accurate, with a mix of simple and complex sentence structures used effectively. You demonstrate good control over verb tenses, particularly in the past tense when describing your previous work situation and the present perfect for your current job search. Punctuation is used correctly throughout. There are no significant grammatical errors, and the majority of your sentences are error-free. The complexity of your sentence construction is sufficient to demonstrate a strong command of English, making the text easy and pleasant to read.

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