Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-10-09

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

You do NOT need to write any addresses.

Begin your letter as follows:

Dear ................. ,

Student answer (Band 6.0)

Dear John,

I hope you're doing well. I am delighted, that you have asked me my opinion on whether you should take higher studies or get a job. I believe you should look for a job that well help you ahieve what you have always dreamed about.

Firstly, I am certain that you would not enjoy take higher studies and attending a college. Mainly, because we have being friends for a long time, and I know how much financial burden you have on you. Arranging college fees would be too much too ask from your parents. In addition, stressing yourself out over completing projects on time is not your cup of tea.

Secondly, in my opinion finding a sutiable job will help you with your future goals that you wanted to achieve. In addition, getting a job would eliminate all your family financial problems as well. Moreover, you could finally live a comfortable life you always wanted.

Finally, if ypu ask me, I believe IT based job would be most suitable for you as ypu have always shown keen interest in computers since our childhood. Moreover, I have heared IT jobs pays you really well that will help you a lot.

Kind regards,

Mavi

AI examiner evaluation

CriterionBand
Task Achievement / Task Response6.5
Coherence and Cohesion7.0
Lexical Resource5.5
Grammatical Range and Accuracy5.5
Overall6.0

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

The letter addresses all three points and makes your recommendation clear: you advise John to work rather than attend college. You explain that college costs could add to his family’s financial burden and that project deadlines may not suit him, then connect employment with his goals and financial independence. The suggestion of an IT job is relevant and supported by his interest in computers. These details make the response purposeful, but some reasoning remains general: for example, “help you with your future goals” and “live a comfortable life” are not explained with specific examples. To develop the ideas further, show how a particular job could build skills or lead towards one of his goals, while keeping the friendly tone.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0

The letter has a clear progression: an opening that states your view, followed by reasons against college, benefits of employment, and a suitable job suggestion. Paragraphing supports this sequence, and signposts such as “Firstly,” “Secondly,” and “Finally” make the stages easy to follow. The closing is appropriate for a personal letter. The organisation is effective overall, although the repeated sequencing words make some transitions feel formulaic. You also use “In addition” and “Moreover” close together, so the links sometimes draw attention to themselves rather than flowing naturally. Try varying these with cause-and-effect links or by connecting ideas directly—for example, explain how earning a salary would reduce the financial pressure you mention earlier.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use a range of relevant expressions, including “financial burden,” “eliminate,” “comfortable life,” and “keen interest,” which help communicate your advice. However, several spelling and word-choice errors reduce accuracy, such as “ahieve,” “sutiable,” “heared,” and “ypu.” Some phrases are also awkward or imprecise: “take higher studies,” “financial problems,” and “IT jobs pays you really well.” These do not prevent the reader from understanding your main points, but they limit the naturalness and precision of the letter. Aim to use familiar collocations accurately, such as “pursue further studies,” “ease the family’s financial pressure,” and “IT jobs are well paid.” Proofreading would also catch the repeated typing errors.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and more complex sentences, including a reason clause beginning “because” and a sentence explaining that an IT job suits John because of his interest in computers. The overall meaning remains clear, but some grammatical errors occur in verb forms, agreement, and sentence construction. For example, “would not enjoy take” should be “would not enjoy taking,” and “we have being friends” should be “we have been friends.” In “IT jobs pays,” the plural subject requires “pay.” The opening also has an unnecessary comma after “delighted.” Review verb patterns after “enjoy,” present perfect forms, and subject–verb agreement. More accurate control of these structures would make your varied sentences easier to read.

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