Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-09-03

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 Ayesha,

I hope you are doing well. You asked whether you should go to college or look for a job. From my perspective, getting a job would be a better choice for you.

Firstly, I don't think you would enjoy college very much. You have always preferred practical activities to studying from books, and you often find long periods of classroom were boring. Moreover, college requires several years of study and regular assignments, which may not suit your personality.

On the other hand, a job would allow you to earn money, become independent and gain valuable experience. You would also learn useful skills such as communication, teamwork, and time management while working.

I think you would be particularly suited for employments in retail, sales or customer service because you are confident, friendly, and good at talking to people. You can start with an entry level position.

I expect that my suggestions could help you in your future venture. Let me know what you decide.

Best Wishes,

Amna Asad

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

You have successfully addressed all three bullet points in the prompt. You clearly state why college might not be enjoyable for your friend, explain the benefits of working, and provide specific examples of suitable job sectors. Your position is consistent throughout the letter, and the tone is appropriate for a friendly, informal correspondence. The ideas are well-developed and relevant to the task instructions. To reach a higher band, you could provide slightly more detail or personal anecdotes to further flesh out your arguments, but overall, the response is complete and effectively communicates your advice.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The letter is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs for each point, and a polite closing. You use cohesive devices such as 'Firstly', 'Moreover', and 'On the other hand' to guide the reader through your arguments. Paragraphing is used effectively to separate distinct ideas. The flow of information is natural and easy to follow. The referencing is clear, and the overall structure supports the purpose of the letter well. There is nothing that hinders the reader's understanding, and the progression of ideas is smooth and logical throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using words like 'perspective', 'independent', 'valuable experience', and 'venture'. While the vocabulary is generally accurate and fits the context, it is somewhat standard. There is a minor error in the phrase 'employments in retail', where 'employment' should be used as an uncountable noun or replaced with 'jobs' or 'roles'. To improve, try incorporating more precise collocations or slightly more sophisticated synonyms to enhance the descriptive quality of your writing. However, the current range is sufficient to convey your meaning clearly and effectively.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures effectively. Most of your sentences are error-free, and your control of grammar is generally strong. There is a minor grammatical slip in the sentence 'you often find long periods of classroom were boring', where 'classroom' should be 'classroom time' or 'lectures', and the verb tense is slightly awkward. Despite this, your punctuation and sentence construction are generally accurate. You demonstrate a good command of English grammar, and the occasional minor errors do not impede communication or cause any confusion for the reader.

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

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