Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-09-30
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 7.5)
Dear Alex,
It was great to hear from you! I completely understand why you are torn between going to college and starting work straight away, but given your personality and goals, I strongly believe getting a job is the right path for you.
To be honest, I really do not think you would enjoy university life right now. You have always been a hands-on, practical person who thrives on action rather than sitting in lecture halls all day writing essays. Academic pressure has never appealed to you, and spending the next three years buried in textbooks would likely feel tedious and frustrating.
On the other hand, entering the workforce now is a fantastic idea for you. It will give you the independence and financial freedom you have been craving. Instead of accumulating student debt, you can start earning a steady income, learning real-world skills, and building a professional network that will set you up for long-term success.
As for what you should do, I think roles in sales, customer service, or digital marketing would suit you brilliantly. Since you are so outgoing and naturally persuasive, a position where you interact with people daily would keep you motivated and allow your strengths to shine.
Let's catch up over coffee this weekend to chat about it more and look at some job listings together!
Best wishes,
Sam
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.5 |
| Overall | 7.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.5
The candidate has fully and effectively addressed all parts of the task prompt. The letter begins with the appropriate opening salutation ('Dear Alex,') and adopts a consistent, friendly tone throughout. The writer successfully explains why the recipient would not enjoy college (citing their practical nature and aversion to academic pressure), clearly outlines why getting a job is beneficial (gaining independence, financial freedom, and real-world skills), and suggests specific, suitable types of job (sales, customer service, and digital marketing). All bullet points are well-developed and supported with relevant, personalised details. The purpose of the letter is clear from the beginning to the end, satisfying all requirements of Band 8.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.5
The letter demonstrates a clear and logical organisation from beginning to end. Ideas are paragraphed effectively, with each paragraph serving a distinct function in moving the narrative forward—from the introductory greeting, to the discussion about college, the benefits of working, job suggestions, and finally a warm sign-off. Cohesive devices such as 'To be honest,' 'On the other hand,' and 'As for what you should do,' are used naturally and appropriately to guide the reader smoothly through the response. Referencing is consistently clear, and the overall progression of the argument is natural and well-managed, aligning comfortably with the criteria for Band 8.
Lexical Resource: Band 7.5
The candidate displays a wide, fluent, and flexible range of vocabulary suited to a semi-formal/informal letter of advice. Less common and natural phrases such as 'torn between', 'hands-on, practical person', 'thrives on action', 'accumulating student debt', and 'professional network' are used skillfully. Word choice and collocations are generally accurate and appropriate for the context. There are only occasional minor limitations or standard phrasings, but the overall lexical control allows the writer to convey precise shades of meaning effortlessly, demonstrating the qualities of a Band 8 performance.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 7.5
The response features a wide range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences with multiple clauses (e.g., 'Instead of accumulating student debt, you can start earning a steady income...'). The majority of sentences are completely error-free, showcasing an excellent command of tense, punctuation, and sentence construction. Control over syntax is strong and flexible, and punctuation is handled correctly throughout. The occasional minor slip does not impede communication in any way, sustaining a level of grammatical accuracy and variety that fully meets the criteria for Band 8.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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