Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-09-12
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 7.5)
Dear Mr and Mrs Collins,
I hope this letter finds you well. I really appreciate your invitation to the surprise birthday party for Chris. However, I am writing to inform you that I would not be able to attend it.
I was very happy upon receiving the invitation. I have been friends with Chris from as long as I can remember. We have played, studied and grown together. From all the time I have spent with her, I know how much Chris love meaningful surprises like this. She will absolutely be on cloud nine on that day!
I would have loved to spend time with her on her special day. However, my mother just had a road accident, unfortunately. She had to go through a hip-bone replacement surgery. She was discharged from the hospital last week, and is advised to stay on a bed-rest. She is prescribed medicines for now and will undergo physiotherapy the next month, depending on whether her body can take the stress of the exercises.
As much as I would have loved to be there for Chris on her birthday, and spend time with the both of you, I am sorry to say I won't be able to join you since I need to take care of my mother. However, I will be flying to Australia next month to see my fiance. I will come to meet Chris and you, the last week of the next month anytime you would be available. I hope you understand my situation, and I can't wait to see you all next month!
Warm regards,
Shruti.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 8.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 8.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.5 |
| Overall | 7.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0
You have successfully covered all bullet points required by the task prompt. First, you clearly explained why Chris will enjoy the surprise party by mentioning her love for meaningful surprises and how she will be 'on cloud nine'. Second, you provided a valid and detailed reason for your inability to attend due to your mother's accident and subsequent surgery. Third, you successfully outlined a concrete plan to see Chris and her parents during your trip to Australia next month. The tone is appropriately warm and friendly, matching the formal yet personal nature of writing to a friend's parents. Your ideas are well-extended and fully developed throughout, meeting all the requirements for a high band score.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0
Your letter demonstrates a very clear logical organization and progression throughout. Each paragraph has a distinct focus, beginning with the opening and purpose of the letter, moving to Chris's reaction, explaining your absence, and finally proposing an alternative meeting plan. You use appropriate and natural cohesive devices, such as 'However', 'As much as I would have loved', and 'For now', which guide the reader smoothly through your narrative. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately, and referencing throughout the letter is clear and easy to follow. Cohesion is managed very well.
Lexical Resource — Band 7.0
You demonstrate a sufficient and flexible range of vocabulary suitable for a personal yet polite letter. You use some very good less common lexical items and idiomatic phrases, such as 'on cloud nine', 'meaningful surprises', and 'hip-bone replacement surgery'. There are only occasional minor awkwardnesses in collocation, such as saying 'friends with Chris from as long as I can remember' instead of 'for as long as I can remember', and 'stay on a bed-rest' instead of simply 'bed-rest'. However, these minor slips do not impede communication in any way, and your overall lexical control is strong.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5
Your response features a good mix of simple and complex sentence forms, with a strong ability to form multi-clause sentences correctly. You successfully employ conditional and concessive structures like 'As much as I would have loved to be there...'. There are a few minor grammatical errors, such as 'I would not be able to attend it' (where 'attend' is sufficient without 'it') and the preposition choice in 'from as long as I can remember'. Punctuation is generally accurate, and despite these minor inaccuracies, the majority of your sentences are error-free and communication flows effortlessly.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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