Band 9.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 9.0 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-08-30

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 9.0)

Dear Rahul,

I was really happy to receive your letter, and I am glad that you asked for my advice about whether you should go to college or look for a job. In my opinion, I think getting a job would be a better choice for you at this stage.

Although college can be a great experience, I do not think you would enjoy it very much. You have always preferred practical activities rather than studying from textbooks and attending lectures. College would require you to spend several years completing assignments, preparing for exams and following a fixed academic schedule. I know you prefer being independent and learning through real-life experiences, so you might find college boring and stressful.

On the other hand, getting a job would allow you to earn money while gaining valuable experience. You could become financially independent and also develop important skills such as communication, teamwork and problem-solving. Moreover, having some work experience would help you understand what type of career you really want to pursue in the future. If you later decide to attend college, your practical experience could also be useful.

Considering your interests and personality, I think you would be suitable for jobs in sales, customer service or retail. You are friendly and confident when talking to people, so working as a sales assistant or customer service representative could suit you well. Another option would be an entry-level position in a company where you can learn new skills and gradually take on more responsibility.

I hope my advice helps you make the right decision. Let me know what you decide, and I would love to hear about your first day at work!

Best wishes,

Sam

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 9.0

The response fully addresses all three bullet points in the prompt. You clearly explain why college might not be suitable for your friend, provide a logical argument for why employment is a better choice, and offer specific, relevant job suggestions. The tone is appropriate for a letter to a friend, and your position is consistent throughout the piece. The ideas are well-developed and supported with relevant examples, such as mentioning specific skills like 'communication' and 'teamwork'. You have successfully met all requirements of the task.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 9.0

The letter is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs for each point, and a polite closing. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the progression of ideas is smooth. You use a variety of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'Although', 'On the other hand', 'Moreover', and 'Considering your interests'. These transitions help the reader follow your argument without difficulty. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different aspects of your advice, making the letter easy to read and well-structured.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.5

You demonstrate a wide and natural range of vocabulary that is well-suited to the context of giving advice. Phrases like 'financially independent', 'pursue in the future', and 'entry-level position' show a good command of topic-specific language. The word choice is precise and contributes to the clarity of your message. There are no noticeable errors in word choice or collocation, and the vocabulary used is sophisticated enough to convey your points effectively while maintaining a friendly, personal tone throughout the letter.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 9.0

The response exhibits a wide range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences that are used accurately. For example, 'Although college can be a great experience, I do not think you would enjoy it very much' is a well-constructed complex sentence. Your use of punctuation is correct, and the grammar is consistently accurate throughout the text. There are no significant errors that impede communication, and the majority of your sentences are error-free. You demonstrate a high level of control over your writing, which is consistent with a high band score.

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.