Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-10-17

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,

The reason for my writing is to inform you about reason for my absence in Chris surprise birthday party. My name is Himanshi Patel, I am Chris's college friend.

I think it is going to be a big surprise for him as he has no idea. In addition, one day he also mentioned in our normal conversation that he likes surprises a lot so I think he will definitely enjoy the surprise party. Apart from that you invited almost his all friends which would also be a big surprise for him.

Unfortunately, I am not available at that day as there will be an appointment for important health check up of my father and it will be necessary for me to remain with him at that day.

However, I am planning to meet him day after his birthday. I will come in the morning and please do not tell him about it as I also want to surprise him. Moreover, I apologize to him for my absence at his special day as I know he will be quite upset but he knows the reason he will understand me.

Best of luck for the party and if you need any other help just let me know.

Yours faithfully,

Himanshi

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.0

You address all three points clearly: you explain that Chris enjoys surprises, give a reason for your absence, and propose meeting the day after his birthday. The supporting detail that he has said he likes surprises makes the first point convincing, while the health appointment explains why you need to accompany your father. Your plan to visit in the morning and keep it secret is also relevant. To make the response more fully developed, clarify the practical arrangements for the visit, such as suggesting a time or checking whether Chris is free. The comment that he will be “quite upset” is speculative; a warmer, more tactful closing would suit a letter to his parents better.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The letter has a clear overall sequence: purpose, reasons Chris will enjoy the party, your absence, and an alternative plan. Paragraphing helps the reader follow these stages, and linking phrases such as “In addition,” “Unfortunately,” and “However” make the relationships between ideas clear. This gives the response a coherent structure. Some connections are less smooth or slightly mechanical, particularly the repeated use of “surprise” and the transition from your proposed visit to the apology. The final sentence also combines several ideas, making the closing feel crowded. To strengthen progression further, use more varied, natural transitions and separate the apology from the practical details of your visit.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

Your vocabulary is adequate for the task and communicates the main ideas, with useful expressions such as “appointment,” “health check up,” and “remain with him.” You also use language appropriate to the friendly context, including “please do not tell him.” However, some word choices and collocations are awkward or repetitive: “inform you about reason for my absence,” “normal conversation,” and “at his special day” do not sound natural. “Big surprise” is repeated, and “Best of luck for the party” is less idiomatic than a more conventional expression of good wishes. Aim to use more precise, natural phrases and vary repeated vocabulary while keeping the tone warm and personal.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

You use a mix of simple and more complex sentences, including a reason clause in “as there will be an appointment” and a conditional idea in “if you need any other help.” The message remains understandable, but some grammatical errors occur. For example, “about reason” needs an article or a different construction, and “Chris surprise birthday party” needs a possessive form. In “I am not available at that day,” the preposition is incorrect; “on that day” is the appropriate pattern. The final sentence, “but he knows the reason he will understand me,” needs clearer punctuation and a conjunction or sentence break. Review articles, possessives, prepositions, and punctuation in longer sentences to improve accuracy.

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