Band 4.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 4.5 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-10-17

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 4.5)

Dear Prince,

How've you been? I'm glad to hear that you have successfully completed your 12th grade with great marks. Following this, I know the one, who face mental pressure to select a decision for their future. Looking at my perspective,I will plan to go studies rather than job.Apart from this,your father is a well- known business magnet. So, you dont need to worry about earning money yet.

From childhood, I know you from our childhood that you are not interested in studies. Maybe its because of our mentors and school atmosphere. Recently, you have your own talents and abilities.

Moreover, if you get a good job in your field, its a better chance for you to improve your cognitive skills as well as intellectual capacity. From my knowledge,you have good talent on construction field. Likewise, you need to focus on that sector.

Take your time and pick a good decision.I'm looking forward to hearing from you. Always praying for your success and better life.

Yours Faithfully,

Sree

AI examiner evaluation

CriterionBand
Task Achievement / Task Response3.5
Coherence and Cohesion4.0
Lexical Resource5.5
Grammatical Range and Accuracy5.0
Overall4.5

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 3.5

You make a clear recommendation to pursue work, and you give a relevant reason by noting that your friend is not interested in studying. You also suggest a suitable area—construction—based on his abilities. However, the response does not fully address the task: the sentence “I will plan to go studies rather than job” contradicts the required advice to get a job, and the point about his father’s business does not explain why college would be unenjoyable. The benefits of employment are only briefly mentioned through improving skills, while the job suggestions remain limited to one broad field. Make your position consistent, explain why college would not suit him, and give a few specific job options with reasons.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.0

The letter has a recognisable opening, body, and closing, and the ideas generally move from your friend’s situation to employment and then to a sign-off. Connectors such as “Moreover” and “Likewise” help signal relationships between points. However, the progression is weakened by the contradictory recommendation near the start and by abrupt shifts: the reference to his father’s business is not clearly linked to the advice, and “Recently, you have your own talents and abilities” does not develop the preceding point about school. Some linking phrases feel mechanical rather than showing a precise connection. Group the reasons college may not suit him together, then explain the advantages and suitable jobs in a clear sequence, using references that make each point’s connection explicit.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You attempt a range of vocabulary beyond basic everyday language, including “mental pressure,” “cognitive skills,” “intellectual capacity,” and “construction field.” These choices show an effort to express ideas about personal strengths and career development. However, several phrases are unnatural or imprecise, such as “select a decision,” “business magnet,” and “good talent on construction field,” which can make the intended meaning less clear. The formal-sounding vocabulary is also not always well matched to a friendly letter. Aim for natural collocations and specific job-related terms—for example, name roles in construction rather than referring only to a “field.” Check spelling and contractions as well, including “dont,” and choose wording that sounds conversational and precise.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You use both simple statements and attempts at longer structures, such as “if you get a good job in your field, its a better chance for you to improve…” This shows some range, and the overall message can usually be followed. However, complex sentences are often not controlled accurately: “I know the one, who face mental pressure to select a decision” has problems with clause structure and verb agreement, while “From childhood, I know you from our childhood” repeats the time phrase and uses an unsuitable tense. There are also recurring errors with articles, verb forms, and punctuation, including “you have your own talents” and missing spaces after commas. Practise building clear sentences with accurate subject–verb agreement and use past or present perfect forms consistently when describing your shared history.

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

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