Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-11-06

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

The parents of your Australian friend Chris have invited you to a surprise birthday party for him/her. Write a letter to Chris's parents. In your letter:

• say why you think Chris will enjoy the surprise party
• explain why you won't be able to attend the party
• give details of a plan to see Chris at a different time

You do NOT need to write any addresses.

Begin your letter as follows:

Dear Mr and Mrs Collins,

Student answer (Band 6.5)

Dear Mr and Mrs Collins,

I am pleased to receieve your invitation to a surprise birthday celebration you organised for my friend. I believe he deserves and he would like it.

In all honesty, Chris would be very happy for this party because he has been looking for a gathering like this one. The presence of his old friends would really make him happy that day.

Unfortunately, I would be able to come to the party due to my younger sister wedding engagment which would be done that same day. And I am the one in charge of everything to make the wedding a success.

However, I planned to take Chris out for a treat four days after the party. There is this mall he has been longing to visit, I want to surprise him by taking him there and do some shoppings together.

I wish your son a beautiful celebration ahead.

Yours faithfully,

Earnest.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

You address all three points: you explain that Chris would enjoy seeing old friends, give a reason for your absence, and suggest taking him to a mall four days later. These details make the letter relevant and show the main purpose clearly. The explanation of the party is somewhat general, however: saying Chris has been “looking for a gathering like this one” could be made more specific, for example by explaining why reconnecting with old friends matters to him. The alternative plan is clear but could include a proposed time or a more definite arrangement. The response already covers the task well; fuller development of these ideas would make it more complete and persuasive.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The letter has a clear overall arrangement, with separate paragraphs for the party, your apology, and the alternative plan. Linking expressions such as “Unfortunately” and “However” help signal the change in focus, and the reader can follow the sequence of ideas. Some connections are less smooth: “I believe he deserves and he would like it” is unclear, and “However” does not quite express the relationship between being unable to attend and arranging another celebration. The opening and closing are appropriate, though the ideas within paragraphs could be connected more naturally. Use clearer references and transitions, and make sure each sentence develops the point introduced by the previous one.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use an adequate range for a personal letter, including relevant expressions such as “surprise birthday celebration,” “in charge,” and “longing to visit.” The meaning is generally clear, but several spelling, word-form, and collocation choices reduce precision: “receieve,” “wedding engagment,” and “do some shoppings” are inaccurate, while “a gathering like this one” is rather vague. Aim for natural combinations and check spelling carefully; for example, “receive,” “wedding engagement” (or “wedding”), and “go shopping” would be more idiomatic. More precise vocabulary to describe Chris’s interests or the planned outing would add flexibility and make the letter sound more natural.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

You attempt a mix of simple and more complex sentence forms, and most of the message remains understandable. Some grammatical errors are noticeable, particularly in “I believe he deserves and he would like it,” where the sentence structure is incomplete, and “I would be able to come” does not express the intended inability; use “I would not be able to come.” The phrase “which would be done that same day” is also an awkward passive construction, and “I planned to take” would be clearer as “I plan to take” for a future arrangement. Work on complete clause structure, accurate modal forms, and consistent tense choices. These improvements would make your meaning more precise while preserving your range of sentence patterns.

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

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