Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-09-07
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 7.0)
Dear Mr and Mrs Collins,
I hope you are doing well! Thank you for inviting me to Chris's birthday party.
Firstly, I am glad that you are arranging a surprise birthday treat for him. Chris will definitely enjoy it; he once told me he loves surprises. Moreover, he will appreciate the effort and thought process behind this beautiful gesture.
I am extremely sorry to inform you that I won't be able to attend the event because I have an upcoming exam right at the time of Chris's birthday. I am already taking mock tests to get familiar with the exam. I wish I could join you all.
That said, I am planning to visit Australia to celebrate New Year. Therefore, I will see Chris on New Year's Eve and will hopefully celebrate his belated birthday then.
Once again, I apologize for not being able to make it to the birthday party. I promise, I'll try to make up for it.
Best Wishes,
Jack
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.0 |
| Overall | 7.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5
You have successfully addressed all three bullet points in the prompt. You clearly explained why Chris would enjoy the surprise, provided a valid reason for your absence, and proposed a concrete plan to meet him later. The tone is appropriate for a letter to a friend's parents, maintaining a polite and friendly register throughout. The ideas are well-developed and relevant, ensuring the reader understands the situation perfectly. You have fully satisfied the requirements of the task.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5
The letter is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs for each requirement, and a polite closing. You use cohesive devices such as 'Firstly', 'Moreover', and 'That said' effectively to transition between ideas. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different points of the letter, which helps the reader follow your train of thought easily. The flow of information is natural and consistent throughout the response.
Lexical Resource — Band 6.5
You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary that is appropriate for the context of a personal letter. Phrases like 'appreciate the effort', 'thought process', and 'make up for it' are used accurately. While the vocabulary is functional and clear, it could be slightly more sophisticated to reach the highest bands. However, there are no errors in word choice or collocation that impede communication, and the language used is natural and fits the intended tone well.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0
Your grammar is generally accurate, with a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. You use conditional forms ('I wish I could join') and future tense constructions correctly. Punctuation is used effectively to manage the flow of your sentences. There are no significant grammatical errors that cause confusion. The writing is clear and demonstrates a solid command of English syntax, making it easy to read and understand.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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