Band 4.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 4.0 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-10-29
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 4.0)
Dear Alex,
My advice to you, go to college first, before work. Because you are very talented, when we are in grade school you are always on top of the class. You're always share it to me you want to finish your college , because you want to help your family.
While your studying you can't look for part-time job, In order for you to support you're needs while studying, and you can also help your parent's their needs in your house to pay some bill. Once you graduated on college it's easier for you to find for a job and get hired easily. You cam also apply abroad if you want.
The important of
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 2.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 3.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 4.5 |
| Overall | 4.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 2.5
The response does not fulfil the task’s central requirement: you advise Alex to go to college, whereas the prompt asks you to recommend getting a job. As a result, the reasons given—such as being talented and wanting to help the family—support the opposite position. You do mention part-time work and future employment, but you do not explain why Alex would dislike college or suggest suitable types of job. The final fragment, “The important of”, also leaves the letter unfinished. The response is 35 words below the required minimum, which further limits the development of the requested points. Address all three bullet points directly and maintain the position specified in the task.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 3.5
There is some basic organisation: the opening gives advice, and the next paragraph discusses studying, work and future employment. Linking expressions such as “While” and “Once” show an attempt to connect ideas. However, the progression is difficult to follow because the advice contradicts the task, and the paragraph moves between college, part-time work and helping family without clearly developing one point. The unfinished final line, “The important of”, disrupts the ending and leaves the letter without a conclusion. To improve, use a clear sequence: explain why college may not suit Alex, give reasons to work, then suggest suitable jobs. Complete each paragraph and use references and transitions that make the relationships between ideas clear.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.0
You use enough everyday vocabulary to communicate some relevant ideas, including “talented,” “part-time job,” “support,” and “apply abroad.” These choices show a basic ability to discuss education and employment. However, the range is limited, and several phrases are inaccurate or awkward, such as “on top of the class,” “share it to me,” and “find for a job.” The unfinished phrase “The important of” also suggests difficulty expressing the intended idea. Aim for more precise collocations and vocabulary suited to giving advice, such as describing a job as “a good fit” or saying someone can “gain practical experience.” Check word forms and spelling, including “cam,” so the reader can understand your meaning smoothly.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5
The response attempts both simple and longer sentence forms, for example, “Once you graduated on college it's easier for you to find for a job and get hired easily.” However, control is inconsistent, and errors often make the sentences difficult to read. “My advice to you, go to college first” is missing a complete grammatical structure, while “You're always share it to me” has an incorrect verb form. There are also problems with tense and agreement in “when we are in grade school you are always on top,” and the sentence beginning “While your studying” is not correctly formed. Practise complete clauses, consistent verb tenses and possessive forms, and use punctuation to separate ideas. These changes would make your advice clearer.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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