Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-07-30

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 8.5)

Dear Mr and Mrs. Collins,

Thank you so much for inviting me to Chris's surprise birthday party. I'm sure that Chris will absolutely love it because he enjoys spending time with friends and family. Since he never expects surprises, this celebration will make his birthday even more memorable.

Unfortunately, I will not be able to attend it because I have an exam the following Monday, and I need to travel to another city a day before. Although I am very disappointed to miss the party, I hope everyone has a spectacular time together.

I'd still love to celebrate with Chris at another time. I am planning to meet him over the next weekend for a lunch at his favorite restaurant. I will also surprise him by giving him a wonderful birthday present; then, we can spend a few hours catching up together.

Please give my best wishes to Chris, and thank you again for your kind invitation.

Yours sincerely,

Janki

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5

The response fully addresses all three bullet points required by the task. You clearly explain why Chris will enjoy the surprise, provide a logical reason for your absence (an exam), and offer a specific alternative plan to meet. The tone is appropriate for a letter to a friend's parents, maintaining a polite and appreciative register throughout. The ideas are well-developed and directly relevant to the prompt, demonstrating a clear understanding of the task requirements. No parts of the prompt were omitted, and the response flows naturally from one point to the next.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5

The letter is well-organized with a logical progression of ideas. Each paragraph focuses on a single aspect of the prompt, which makes the letter easy to follow. You use appropriate cohesive devices such as 'Since', 'Although', and 'then' to link your thoughts effectively. The transition between the apology for not attending and the suggestion for a future meeting is smooth. Paragraphing is used correctly to separate the introduction, the body points, and the closing, contributing to a coherent and professional structure throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary that is appropriate for the context of a personal letter. Phrases like 'absolutely love it', 'memorable', and 'spectacular time' are used accurately. While the vocabulary is generally standard, it is precise and fits the tone well. There are no significant errors in word choice or collocation. To reach a higher band, you could incorporate slightly more sophisticated or idiomatic expressions, but the current range is sufficient to convey your message clearly and naturally.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5

The grammar is highly accurate, with a variety of sentence structures used throughout the letter. You successfully employ complex sentences, such as 'Although I am very disappointed to miss the party, I hope everyone has a spectacular time together.' Punctuation is generally correct, and the flow of the sentences is natural. There are no major grammatical errors that impede communication. The control over verb tenses, particularly when discussing future plans and past obligations, is consistent and correct.

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