Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-08-11

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 7.5)

Dear Alex,

I hope you're doing well. Thanks for your letter and for asking for my advice about whether you should go to college or start working. I honestly believe that a job would be a better option for you at this stage.

Firstly, I don't think you enjoy studying because you have never been comfortable with academic study. You mostly prefer developing practical skills rather than reading long textbooks and following the timetable. Moreover, It will become frustrating following a rigid timetable because you prefer more flexible and hands-on environment.

Let me explain the situation to you. Getting a job would give you valuable practical experience, which could benefit you in the future. You would gain valuable skills such as problem-solving skills, strong communication and teamwork, which would be useful if you decided to pursue future education. More importantly, having a regular income would make you financially independent and allow you to understand what you want to pursue in the long-term.

Furthermore, I think you should particularly focus on a role in marketing or sales because you are an extrovert person. You are sociable and confident when dealing with people.You could also consider applying for paid internship that provides on-the-job training.

I hope this helps, and I'd be interested to hear what you decide.

Thanks

Anuj

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response fully addresses all three bullet points of the task. You clearly explain why college might not be suitable, provide logical reasons for choosing employment, and offer specific suggestions for roles. The tone is appropriate for a letter to a friend, and the position is consistent throughout. The ideas are well-developed and supported with relevant examples, such as mentioning 'problem-solving skills' and 'financial independence'. You have successfully met all the requirements of the prompt in a natural and friendly manner.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The letter is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs for each point, and a concluding sentence. You use a variety of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'Firstly', 'Moreover', 'Let me explain', and 'Furthermore', which help guide the reader through your arguments. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different ideas. The flow of information is smooth, and the relationship between sentences is clear, making the letter easy to follow from start to finish.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary that is appropriate for the context. Phrases like 'financially independent', 'on-the-job training', and 'pursue future education' show a solid command of language. There is a slight repetition of the word 'valuable' in the second paragraph, and 'extrovert person' could be phrased more naturally as 'extrovert' or 'an outgoing person'. However, the vocabulary is precise enough to convey your meaning clearly and effectively throughout the letter.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures with generally good control. There are a few minor slips, such as 'I don't think you enjoy' (should be 'would enjoy' to match the hypothetical context) and 'It will become frustrating following a rigid timetable' (a comma is missing after 'timetable'). Additionally, 'extrovert person' is slightly awkward. Despite these minor errors, the majority of your sentences are error-free, and your grammar does not impede communication at any point. The punctuation is generally accurate.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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