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 Jass

I Hope you are doing well. I am writing this letter in response to your letter, advising you to apply for job applications rather than attending college. It would be really helpful for your family because you are the only bread earner they look upto after your dad passed away.

Although college can be a rewarding experience, I don't think you would particularly enjoy it. You have always preferred practical activities to sitting in a classroom for several hours, and I know you find studying for exams and completing lengthy assignments quite stressful. In addition, spending several years focusing mainly on theoretical subjects might become boring for you.

On the other hand, getting a job would allow you to gain valuable experience while earning your own money. It would also help you become more independent and develop skills that could be useful for your future career. Since you enjoy meeting people and solving practical problems, I think you would find working much more motivating than studying full-time.

As for suitable jobs, I think you should consider working in a hotel, a retail store or a customer-service position. A hotel job could be particularly suitable because you enjoy interacting with people and would have the opportunity to develop your communication skills. You could also start with a part-time position and see how you feel about it before committing to full-time work.

I hope my advice helps. Whatever you decide, I'm sure you'll make the right choice. Let me know what you think!

Best wishes,

Arshpreet

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

You have fully addressed all three bullet points in the prompt. Your position is clear from the beginning, and you provide logical, well-developed reasons for your advice. You explain why college might not be suitable by referencing the friend's preference for practical work and stress levels, and you provide concrete examples of suitable jobs. The tone is appropriate for a letter to a friend, and the content is relevant throughout. You have successfully balanced the personal nature of the letter with the requirements of the task.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The letter is well-organized with a clear logical progression. Each paragraph focuses on a specific aspect of the prompt, and you use appropriate cohesive devices such as 'Although', 'In addition', 'On the other hand', and 'As for'. The transition between ideas is smooth, and the paragraphing is used effectively to separate the different points of your argument. The letter flows naturally from the opening to the closing, making it very easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary that is appropriate for the context. Phrases like 'rewarding experience', 'theoretical subjects', and 'developing skills' show a solid command of language. There is a slight error in 'apply for job applications' (you apply for jobs, not applications), but this does not impede communication. You use a variety of words to express your ideas clearly and naturally. To reach a higher band, try to incorporate more precise collocations or slightly more sophisticated idiomatic expressions.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

Your grammar is generally strong, with a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. You use conditional forms and relative clauses effectively, such as 'If you enjoy...' and '...skills that could be useful'. There are very few errors; for instance, 'look upto' should be 'look up to' (two words). The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your punctuation is accurate throughout the letter. The control over complex structures is consistent and contributes to the overall clarity of your writing.

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

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