Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-08-21

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 7.0)

Dear Emma,

It was a very pleasant surprise to hear from you after such a long time. I read you letter yesterday and you have mentioned you are seeking an advice about whether you should join a college for further studies or get a job. I would advice you to get a job.

Let me explain why you would not enjoy going to college. You have always liked to implement the practical knowledge of the subject instead of theoretical aspects and college will only help you gain theoretical knowledge. Also, with growing age it will be difficult for you to get along with other students who are younger than you.

If you get a job, you will be able to implement practical skills in the real world and you will be able to support your parents financially which will lift some burden off from their shoulders.

If you are concerned about what type of job you should do, I will suggest you to look for sales or customer service related positions because you have excellent communication skills.

I hope you would like my advice about starting a job! Write me back as soon as you find one.

Your friend,

Max

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

You have successfully addressed all three bullet points in the prompt. You clearly explain why college might not be enjoyable, provide a logical reason for choosing employment, and suggest specific roles. The tone is appropriate for a letter to a friend, and your position is consistent throughout. To reach a higher band, you could expand slightly more on the 'why' behind your suggestions to provide a more nuanced argument. For instance, explaining the specific benefits of the practical experience gained in sales would further develop your ideas. Overall, the task is fully addressed with a clear and helpful tone.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The letter is well-organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs for each point, and a closing. Each paragraph focuses on a single idea, which makes the letter easy to follow. You use basic cohesive devices like 'Also', 'If', and 'Let me explain' to link your thoughts. To improve, try to use a wider variety of linking words and transition phrases to make the flow more sophisticated. For example, instead of starting sentences with 'If', you could use 'Furthermore' or 'Consequently' to connect your reasoning more fluidly. The paragraphing is logical and supports the overall progression of your advice.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey your message clearly. Phrases like 'practical knowledge', 'theoretical aspects', and 'financially support' are used correctly. There are a few minor errors, such as 'seeking an advice' (advice is uncountable) and 'implement the practical knowledge' (you usually 'apply' knowledge). While your vocabulary is adequate for the task, incorporating more precise collocations or less common synonyms would help elevate your score. For example, using 'hands-on experience' instead of 'practical knowledge' would sound more natural and sophisticated in this context.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures effectively. Most of your sentences are clear and error-free, which ensures that communication is never impeded. However, there are some grammatical slips, such as 'I read you letter' (should be 'your') and 'I will suggest you to look' (the verb 'suggest' is followed by a gerund or a 'that' clause, not an infinitive). Additionally, 'with growing age' is slightly unnatural; 'as you get older' would be more idiomatic. Focusing on these small errors and refining your use of articles and verb patterns will help you achieve a higher band.

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

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