IELTS General Writing Task 1: Letter of Recommendation (Band 9 Sample)
This General Training Task 1 asks you to write a formal letter recommending someone for a job. A band-9 letter covers all three bullet points, keeps a warm but professional tone, and makes a convincing case. Below is a model letter of roughly 190 words, followed by why it scores 9 on all four criteria.
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01 · The task
A former colleague has asked you to recommend them for a job. Write a letter to the employer. In your letter: explain how you know the person, describe their skills and personal qualities, and say why you would recommend them for the job.
02 · Band 9 sample answer
191 words · Band 9Dear Sir or Madam,
I am writing to recommend Ms Anna Pham for the position of project coordinator, which I understand she has applied for. I am delighted to support her application.
I worked alongside Anna for over three years at a marketing agency, where she was part of the team I managed. During that time, I came to know her as one of the most capable and reliable colleagues I have had. She is highly organised, consistently meeting tight deadlines without ever compromising on quality, and she has a real talent for keeping complex projects on track.
Beyond her professional skills, Anna is a genuine pleasure to work with. She stays calm under pressure, communicates clearly, and is always willing to help others, which made her popular with the whole team. These are exactly the qualities that a coordinating role demands.
For these reasons, I recommend Anna without hesitation, and I am confident she would be a valuable addition to your organisation. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you require any further information.
Yours faithfully, Daniel Vo
03 · Why this scores Band 9
All three bullet points are fully covered — how the writer knows the person (a colleague of three years), her skills and qualities (organised, calm under pressure, a good communicator), and a clear recommendation. The letter comfortably exceeds 150 words and develops each point with concrete detail rather than listing adjectives.
The letter follows a logical structure — purpose, the working relationship, personal qualities, and the recommendation itself — with one idea per paragraph. Cohesion is smooth — "During that time", "Beyond her professional skills", "For these reasons" — and the formal opening and closing are correctly matched.
The vocabulary is precise and professional — "support her application", "meeting tight deadlines", "keeping projects on track", "stays calm under pressure", "without hesitation" — exactly the warm-yet-formal register a recommendation requires, with no slips into casual phrasing.
A range of structures is used accurately: a relative clause ("which I understand she has applied for"), a participle clause ("consistently meeting tight deadlines"), and a result clause ("which made her popular with the whole team"). No contractions are used, matching the formal register, and the letter is error-free.
04 · Useful collocations for this task
Tap a phrase to see what it means and how to use it. Natural collocations like these lift your Lexical Resource score.
05 · Frequently asked questions
What register should a recommendation letter use?
Formal but warm, since you are writing to an employer you do not know. Use "Dear Sir or Madam,", avoid contractions, and close with "Yours faithfully,". The tone can be positive and personal without becoming casual.
How do I make the recommendation convincing?
Give concrete evidence rather than bare adjectives. "She consistently met tight deadlines without compromising on quality" is far stronger than "she is hard-working". Specific, believable detail is what covers Task Achievement fully.
Should I mention how I know the person?
Yes — it is one of the bullet points and it establishes your credibility. State your relationship and how long it lasted ("I worked alongside her for over three years"), so the reader trusts your judgement.
How long should the letter be?
At least 150 words; a band-9 letter is usually 170–200. This model is 191 words, enough to cover all three bullets convincingly and in a professional tone without padding.
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