Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-08-29

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 Kellie,

I hope you're doing well. It is good to hear that you are not taking your future decisions for granted. I recommend that you first get a job rather than go to college because, in my view, it would be stressful for you to manage the finances for your tuition.

I believe that a job would be a better option for you. As you know, tuition fees cost an arm and a leg. Firstly, you should do some saving for your school. So you can easily get enrolled in your course of interest.

If I were you, I would get a job in a fast-paced environment, such as in a customer service department. On the bright side, you have brilliant communication skills; it is a piece of cake for you. I saw some advertisements in community groups for hiring a customer representative in a clothing store. I would be happy to share them with you.

See you soon!

Amanat

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

You have addressed all three bullet points in the prompt effectively. You clearly explain why college might be stressful due to financial burdens, provide a logical argument for working to save money, and suggest a specific type of job (customer service). 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 personal benefits of working beyond just the financial aspect, such as gaining professional experience or networking, which would further develop your ideas.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The letter is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a closing. You use cohesive devices such as 'Firstly', 'If I were you', and 'On the bright side' to guide the reader through your arguments. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate your points. The flow of ideas is natural and easy to follow. To improve, ensure that the transition between the financial argument and the job suggestion is slightly smoother, perhaps by linking the need for savings more directly to the specific job types you recommend.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary, including idiomatic expressions like 'cost an arm and a leg' and 'a piece of cake'. These are used naturally and appropriately for the informal context. You also use relevant topic-specific vocabulary such as 'tuition fees', 'enrolled', and 'customer representative'. While the vocabulary is sufficient and effective, incorporating a few more precise or academic-leaning synonyms for common words (e.g., instead of 'good idea', using 'prudent choice') would help elevate the lexical range further.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

Your grammar is generally strong, with a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. You correctly use conditional forms ('If I were you, I would...') and modal verbs. There are very few errors, and those present do not impede communication. The punctuation is accurate throughout. To move toward a higher band, you could experiment with a wider variety of complex sentence structures, such as using relative clauses or passive voice, to demonstrate greater grammatical flexibility while maintaining your current high level of accuracy.

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

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