Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-11-03

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. Collins,

I hope you are doing well. I just received your invitation letter and noticed that you and Mrs. Collins are throwing an amazing surprise party on Chris's 20th birthday on upcoming weekend.

I believe that Chris would love this surprise as he is always excited about parties and surprises. I read in the letter that this birthday bash will be celebrated on the rooftop of Radisson hotel in front of Sydney Harbor Bridge which is his favorite place in the city. You guys have also included his preferred Indian snacks such as Chicken Curry and Dosa in the menu which he would love to eat. So the overall arrangements give him a jaw dropping moment.

However, I really apologies that I can't attend this event on the decided date because I am flying to Melbourne this weekend for my company's seminar. Although I will definitely make a video call at that time to see the wonderful celebration.

After returning from the seminar I would arrange a dinner for our families at the same location and inform Chris about my plan. If possible me and Chris would go for a long drive around the Sydney.

Hope you guys will enjoy the party and don't forget to send me the pictures. See you soon.

Warm Regards

Dany

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.5

You address all three points clearly: you explain why Chris will enjoy the party, give a specific reason for your absence, and suggest meeting after your return. Details such as the rooftop venue, Chris’s favourite place, and the Indian food make the first point convincing, while the work seminar explains your unavailability. The alternative dinner and possible drive also provide a clear plan. This is a strong, relevant response with ideas extended through examples. To make the plan fully precise, give a definite time or date for the dinner rather than saying only “after returning,” and clarify whether the dinner is with both families or just you and Chris. The letter’s purpose and friendly tone remain clear throughout.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0

The letter follows a logical sequence: you respond to the invitation, explain Chris’s likely enjoyment, decline, and propose another meeting. Paragraphing supports this progression, and transitions such as “However” and “After returning” help signal the change in focus. The details within the party paragraph also build on one another. Some linking is less smooth: “Although I will definitely make a video call” is not a complete contrast clause, and “So the overall arrangements” makes the conclusion feel slightly mechanical. The final paragraph combines the dinner plan, a possible drive, and a closing request without clearly distinguishing the arrangements. Use complete linking structures and make the relationship between these plans more explicit to improve the flow.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.5

You use an adequate range of vocabulary and show some flexibility with expressions such as “surprise party,” “preferred Indian snacks,” “video call,” and “long drive.” These choices communicate the main ideas, and the specific food and venue details add useful precision. There are, however, several inaccurate or unnatural choices that keep the wording from being consistently precise: “on upcoming weekend,” “in front of Sydney Harbor Bridge,” “jaw dropping moment,” and “on the decided date.” “I really apologies” also uses the wrong word form. Aim for natural collocations and a consistent level of formality; for example, “at the weekend,” “with a view of the Sydney Harbour Bridge,” and “on the scheduled date” would fit better. Check spelling and word forms before sending.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

You use a mix of simple and more complex sentence forms, including the reason clause “as he is always excited about parties” and the time clause “After returning from the seminar.” Most of the message is understandable, and errors rarely prevent the reader from following your plans. Some grammatical errors remain, however. “Although I will definitely make a video call” is a dependent clause without a main clause; connect it to the previous sentence or write “I will, however, make a video call.” In “If possible me and Chris would go,” the introductory phrase needs punctuation and the subject should be “Chris and I.” “I really apologies” also has an incorrect verb form, while “on upcoming weekend” is missing an article. More accurate clause construction and article use would strengthen control.

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