Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-10-19

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 writing to inform you that I have recieved your invitation for Chris's 28th surprise birthday party, which is happen to have on 19 August at your residence.

I believe he will enjoy this surprise, as he is coming back from Canada after 5 years. This will be an exceptional moment because I am aware about the fact that he like surprises.

Being an IT professional, I frequently work in other cities. My job requires weekly meetings and I already recieved my schedule for next week. I have to present an urgent project discussion on database systems, it is quite impossible for me to attend this memorable day.

However, I could arrange something after 10 days on weekend. There is a public holiday on that day and we can organise a lunch together at Hotel Delta, if it's possible for you.

I hope to meet him soon and I look forward to hearing from you.

Best regards,

Vishal.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.0

The letter addresses all three required points and maintains a suitable, polite purpose throughout. You explain why Chris may enjoy the event by linking it to his return from Canada and his liking for surprises, and you give a clear reason for your absence: work commitments and an urgent presentation. The alternative plan is also specific, with a proposed lunch at Hotel Delta after ten days. These details make the response relevant and generally well supported. To strengthen the development further, clarify the proposed date or weekend and make the reason the surprise will be especially enjoyable more personal, rather than relying mainly on the general statement that Chris likes surprises.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0

The information is arranged in a clear sequence: acknowledgement of the invitation, reasons Chris will enjoy it, your inability to attend, and an alternative meeting plan. Separate paragraphs help the reader follow these distinct purposes, while transitions such as “Being an IT professional” and “However” signal the shift between ideas effectively. The closing is appropriate for a personal letter. Some links between details could be smoother: the opening sentence combines the invitation, age, date and venue in a crowded structure, and “after 10 days on weekend” leaves the timing of the proposed lunch unclear. A more precise transition and clearer reference to the date would make the progression feel more polished.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use an adequate range of vocabulary for the letter, including “exceptional moment,” “urgent project discussion,” and “memorable day,” which help convey enthusiasm and explain your work conflict. The meaning remains clear, but some word choices and collocations are inaccurate or unnatural, such as “which is happen to have,” “aware about the fact,” and “organise a lunch together.” There is also a spelling error in “recieved,” repeated twice. Aim for more natural phrasing and check spelling carefully; for example, say the party “is being held” at the residence and that you “know Chris enjoys surprises.” This would improve precision and fluency without requiring more elaborate vocabulary.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

The response includes a mix of simple and more developed sentence forms, including a reason clause with “as” and a conditional proposal beginning “if it’s possible for you.” Most ideas are understandable, and errors do not prevent the reader from following the letter. However, some grammatical problems remain. In the opening, “which is happen to have” has an incorrect verb construction; “which is happening” or “which will be held” would be appropriate. “He like surprises” needs subject–verb agreement (“he likes”), and “I am aware about the fact” uses an incorrect preposition pattern. The sentence about presenting a project discussion is also awkwardly constructed. Review verb forms, agreement and sentence structure to make the message more consistently accurate.

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