Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-11-12

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

You recently booked a part-time course at a college. You now need to cancel your booking.

Write a letter to the college administrator. In your letter:

• say which part-time course you booked
• explain why you need to cancel your booking
• ask about booking a different course

You do NOT need to write any addresses.

Begin your letter as follows:

Dear Sir or Madam,

Student answer (Band 7.0)

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing to inform you about the cancellation of a part-time course which I decided to join at your institution, due to some reason.

I booked a certificate course in French learning and its duration is six months. I was thinking to move to France after completion of this course so that I could interact with the local people easily and pursue my post graduation over there. Basically, I was interested in this course to overcome langauage barrier.

I would like to negate this booking. Luckily, I got an admission at Toronto university so I will stay here for further studies and do not need to learn French. I do not need any refund for the cancellation while I am thinking to join any other course.

Would you provide me details of any other certificate course but only for three months? My studies are going start early so I have less time.I am having keen interest in cooking, if there are any spots left in cookery course please consider me.

Thanks for your time and consideration. I hope to hear from you soon.

Yours faithfully,

Navpreet Dhillon

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.5

The letter addresses all three required points clearly. You identify the French certificate course, explain that admission to Toronto University means you will remain there and no longer need French, and ask about a three-month cookery course. The reason for cancelling is relevant and easy to follow, and the request for information is specific. The detail that you do not need a refund is also useful. To make the response more fully developed, clarify whether you want to transfer your booking or make a new booking, and ask directly about availability, fees, or start dates. Overall, the purpose and intended next step remain clear throughout.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0

The information follows a sensible sequence: you introduce the cancellation, explain the original course choice, give the changed circumstances, and then ask about another course. Paragraphing supports this progression, and phrases such as “so” and “while” help connect ideas. The letter also has an appropriate opening and closing. Some links are less precise, however: “while I am thinking to join any other course” makes the relationship between the refund and your new-course plans unclear, and “Basically” is slightly conversational in this formal letter. A clearer transition into the cookery-course request and more precise referencing would make the progression smoother and less dependent on simple connectors.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use an adequate range for the purpose, including relevant terms such as “certificate course,” “cancellation,” “admission,” and “refund.” These make the main message understandable, and “overcome language barrier” communicates why you originally chose French. Some word choices and collocations are inaccurate or unnatural, though: “negate this booking” is not the usual expression, “French learning” is awkward, and “spots left” is informal for a college enquiry. There are also spelling and word-form slips, including “langauage” and “post graduation.” Aim for conventional administrative phrasing and check spelling; this would make the letter sound more precise and appropriately formal.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.5

The letter includes both simple and more developed sentence forms, such as the explanation beginning “I was thinking to move to France … so that I could interact” and the sentence explaining your admission and changed plans. Meaning is generally clear, and several sentences are controlled. Some grammatical errors remain, however: “I was thinking to move” needs a different verb pattern, “I have less time” is awkwardly formed in this context, and “My studies are going start early” is missing “to” after “going.” The sentence “I am having keen interest” also has an article and verb-form problem. Review infinitive patterns, articles, and verb constructions; greater accuracy across these structures would strengthen the response.

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

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