Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-10-01

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 Pal,

I hope you’re doing well. It has been such a long time since we had a coffee. I recently read your letter, and I suggest applying for a job.

You recently completed your degree in computer engineering and continuing studies is worthless as you’re not aiming to be a professor soon. Also, you might feel demotivated and dull due to repetitive subject and projects.

To begin your professional journey has more benefits. You’ll get direct hands-on working experience with MS Excel, Power BI, Python, and SQL software. Plus, you’ll gain knowledge about how to network and plan your future in IT sector in North America.

I suggest looking for jobs in data analysis, software developing, and AI engineering. These jobs have the highest potential in the next 10 years. I could connect you with my friend, who has been working as a senior software engineer at the Royal Bank of Canada. He will guide you on resume tailoring and tips to get more interviews. I’m attaching his email address. Should you require more details about him, I’m happy to assist you.

How about we catch up on upcoming Sunday at the Asian food festival at 6 PM? Write me a message with the update.

Warm regards,

Neel Desai

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.5

The response successfully addresses all parts of the prompt, maintaining a clear and appropriate informal tone throughout. You clearly outline why college might not be enjoyable, specifically noting that after completing a degree in computer engineering, further study is unnecessary and could become tedious due to repetitive subjects and projects. Furthermore, you effectively explain the benefits of securing a job, highlighting immediate hands-on experience with relevant software and valuable networking opportunities in the North American IT sector. You also provide specific and suitable job suggestions, such as data analysis and AI engineering, along with actionable networking advice. All bullet points are well-extended and supported. To push into the highest band category, the response could offer even deeper nuance regarding the long-term career drawbacks of further formal study versus immediate employment, though the current level of development is already quite strong and thoroughly covers the required aspects of the task.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.5

Your letter demonstrates a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. The response opens with a friendly, natural greeting and smooth introductory remarks, successfully setting the conversational tone. Paragraphs are used logically, with each main idea grouped into its own distinct section, moving smoothly from the critique of college to the benefits of working, specific job suggestions, and finally a warm sign-off and invitation to an upcoming event. You use cohesive devices and referencing appropriately, such as 'Also, you might feel...' and 'Plus, you’ll gain knowledge...', which connects your thoughts smoothly. To achieve an even higher band, transitions could occasionally display greater subtlety and variety, ensuring that every sentence flows into the next with absolute seamlessness without relying on standard additive conjunctions.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.5

The vocabulary used is adequate and shows a sufficient range for some flexibility and precision, successfully fulfilling the requirements of the task. You make commendable attempts to use less common items with an awareness of style and collocation, such as 'hands-on working experience', 'resume tailoring', and 'professional journey'. However, there are a few minor lexical inaccuracies and awkward phrasing choices. For instance, writing 'continuing studies is worthless' is slightly unnatural; 'continuing your studies' or 'further study' would be more idiomatic, and 'software developing' should ideally be phrased as 'software development'. Additionally, the phrase 'upcoming Sunday' is slightly non-standard compared to 'this coming Sunday' or 'next Sunday'. To reach a higher band, focus on refining word choices and collocations to eliminate these slight awkwardness points and demonstrate a wider, more sophisticated vocabulary range.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 7.0

Your writing displays a good variety of complex structures and frequent error-free sentences, demonstrating solid control of grammar and punctuation. You successfully integrate conditional forms, modal verbs, and subordinate clauses, such as 'Should you require more details about him, I’m happy to assist you.' Punctuation is handled well throughout, creating a natural reading rhythm. A few minor grammatical slips persist, such as in the sentence 'To begin your professional journey has more benefits', where a gerund phrase subject can sound slightly awkward compared to 'Beginning your professional journey has more benefits' or 'Starting a job has more benefits.' Similarly, prepositions are mostly managed well, but minor slip-ups occur. To attain a higher band, ensure that all sentence subjects and infinitives/gerunds maintain flawless grammatical agreement and strive for an even higher proportion of entirely error-free complex sentences.

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