Band 9.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 9.0 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-07-28

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

You recently received a letter from a friend asking for advice about whether to go to college or to try to get a job. You think he/she should get a job.

Write a letter to this friend. In your letter

• say why he/she would not enjoy going to college
• explain why getting a job is a good idea for him/her
• suggest types of job that would be suitable for him/her

You do NOT need to write any addresses.

Begin your letter as follows:

Dear ................. ,

Student answer (Band 9.0)

Dear Rohan,

It was great to hear from you. Thank you for your letter. I understand that you are unsure whether to go to college or start working. After thinking about your situation, I honestly believe that getting a job would be the better option for you.

From what I know, you have never really enjoyed studying in a classroom or preparing for exams. You have often told me that you prefer practical activities and learn better through real-life experience. For this reason, I don't think you would enjoy spending several more years at college.

I believe getting a job would be a great choice because it would allow you to gain valuable work experience, become financially independent, and develop useful skills. You could always continue your education later if you decide you need a qualification for your career.

Considering your friendly personality and excellent communication skills, I think you would do well in jobs such as retail sales, customer service, hospitality, or office administration. You might also enjoy working as a trainee in a trade or an apprenticeship, where you can earn while you learn.

I hope my advice helps you make the right decision. Whatever you choose, I wish you every success. Please let me know what you decide.

Best wishes,

Satwinder

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 9.0

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You clearly explain why college might not be suitable for your friend, citing their preference for practical activities. You provide a logical argument for why employment is a better choice, focusing on financial independence and skill development. Finally, you offer specific, relevant job suggestions such as retail and hospitality. The tone is appropriate for a letter to a friend, and the position is consistent throughout. The ideas are well-developed and directly answer each bullet point in the instructions, demonstrating a clear understanding of the task requirements.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 9.0

The letter is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph focuses on a specific aspect of the prompt, moving smoothly from the introduction to the reasons for not attending college, the benefits of working, and finally, specific job recommendations. Cohesive devices such as 'For this reason', 'because', and 'Considering your' are used naturally to link sentences and ideas. Paragraphing is used effectively to separate the different points, making the letter easy to follow and coherent throughout.

Lexical Resource — Band 9.0

You demonstrate a wide and natural range of vocabulary appropriate for a semi-formal or informal letter. Phrases like 'financially independent', 'practical activities', and 'excellent communication skills' show a good command of language. The vocabulary is precise and used accurately to convey your message. There are no noticeable errors in word choice or collocation, and the language flows naturally, which is indicative of a high level of lexical control.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 9.0

The response displays a wide range of grammatical structures with high accuracy. You use a mix of simple and complex sentences effectively, such as the conditional structure 'If you decide you need a qualification' and the relative clause 'where you can earn while you learn'. Punctuation is used correctly throughout, and there are no grammatical errors that impede communication. The control over verb tenses and sentence construction is excellent, making the writing fluent and error-free.

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.