Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 8.5 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-08-14
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 8.5)
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,
Sanjay.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 9.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 8.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 8.5 |
| Overall | 8.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 9.0
You have fully addressed all three bullet points in the prompt. Your position is clear from the outset, and you provide logical, well-developed reasons for your advice. You explain why college might not be a good fit by referencing your friend's preference for practical activities, and you provide a balanced view on why employment is a better alternative. Furthermore, you offer specific, relevant job suggestions that align with the friend's personality traits. The tone is consistently appropriate for a letter to a friend, and the response is well-structured to meet the requirements of the task.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0
The letter is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph focuses on a specific aspect of the prompt, ensuring the reader can follow your argument easily. You use a variety of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'For this reason', 'Furthermore', and 'Considering your...', which help to link your sentences and paragraphs smoothly. The use of paragraphing is appropriate, and the overall structure is coherent, making the letter easy to read and follow from start to finish.
Lexical Resource — Band 7.5
You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary that is well-suited to the context of giving advice. Phrases like 'financially independent', 'practical activities', and 'excellent communication skills' show a natural and precise use of language. The vocabulary is accurate throughout, and you avoid repetition. While the language is natural and appropriate, it stays within the realm of standard, functional English rather than incorporating highly sophisticated or idiomatic expressions, which is perfectly acceptable for this task type.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5
Your grammar is highly accurate, with a wide range of sentence structures used correctly. You successfully employ complex sentences, such as 'You could always continue your education later if you decide you need a qualification for your career', without any errors. Punctuation is used correctly throughout, and there are no noticeable grammatical slips. The control over tense and subject-verb agreement is consistent, and the writing is error-free, which demonstrates a high level of proficiency.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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