Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-07-24

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 8.0)

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing this letter to apprise you of the fact that due to some unforeseen circumstances I had to cancel the booking for the part-time course in business administration.

While I was returning from office, I tripped and fell sideways. Although, there is no major injury, I happened to have a sprained hamstring. Since I am unable to walk, this has created a formidable situation and I need to cancel my booking for the course. Doctor has suggested me a bed rest for 7 days for speedy recovery.

Would you be kind enough to look into this matter? Since, post the introductory sessions, which last for initial 3 days, an applicant cannot join that batch. I learned this from the course booklet. Hence, II would also like to ask if I can apply for a different course after my recovery.

Hoping for a prompt consideration.

Yours faithfully,

Achin Pal

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5

The letter successfully addresses all three bullet points of the prompt. You clearly identify the course, provide a logical and personal reason for the cancellation, and inquire about future enrollment options. The tone is appropriate for a formal letter to an administrator. The ideas are well-developed and the purpose of the letter is clear from the outset. You have maintained a consistent focus on the task requirements throughout the response, ensuring that the reader understands both your current situation and your future intentions regarding the course.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The letter is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph serves a distinct purpose: the introduction states the purpose, the body explains the situation, and the final paragraph addresses the future request. You use cohesive devices such as 'While', 'Although', 'Since', and 'Hence' to link your ideas effectively. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different stages of your communication. The flow is smooth, and the relationship between the injury and the need to cancel is clearly articulated, making the letter easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary, using terms like 'apprise', 'unforeseen circumstances', 'formidable situation', and 'introductory sessions'. These choices are generally precise and appropriate for a formal context. There are no significant errors in word choice that impede communication. While some phrasing is slightly formal to the point of being stiff (e.g., 'apprise you of the fact'), it remains accurate and fits the formal register required for this task. You show an ability to use less common lexical items effectively.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as the concessive clause 'Although, there is no major injury...' and the conditional structure in the final paragraph. There are a few minor grammatical slips, such as the unnecessary comma after 'Although' and the article usage in 'Doctor has suggested me a bed rest' (should be 'The doctor' and 'bed rest' without 'a'). However, these errors are infrequent and do not interfere with the clarity of your message. The majority of your sentences are error-free and demonstrate good control over complex structures.

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.