Band 9.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 9.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-07-27

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 9.0)

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing to request the cancellation of my booking for the **part-time Mathematics Teaching Methods course**, which I enrolled in last week.

Unfortunately, I have recently accepted a full-time teaching position at a local school. My work schedule overlaps with the course timetable, so I will not be able to attend the weekly classes. Rather than missing important sessions, I feel it is better to withdraw from the course.

However, I am still interested in continuing my professional development. Could you please let me know whether I can transfer my booking to the **part-time Inclusive Education** course or any other course related to the **Master of Teaching** program that is offered on weekends or online? I would also like to know if the fee I have already paid can be transferred to the new course.

Thank you for your understanding. I look forward to your response.

Yours faithfully,

Satwinder

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 9.0

The response fully addresses all three bullet points of the task. You clearly identify the course you booked, provide a logical and professional reason for the cancellation (a new full-time teaching position), and effectively inquire about alternative course options and fee transfers. The tone is consistently 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 met all requirements of the prompt with a professional and concise approach.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 9.0

The letter is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph serves a distinct purpose: the opening states the purpose, the second explains the situation, and the third makes the request. You use cohesive devices effectively, such as 'Unfortunately', 'Rather than', and 'However', to transition between ideas smoothly. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the overall structure is easy to follow, making the communication very effective.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.5

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for a formal context. Phrases such as 'professional development', 'overlaps with the course timetable', and 'withdraw from the course' are used accurately and naturally. The language is precise and fits the formal register required for this task. There are no errors in word choice or spelling, and the vocabulary is sufficiently varied to convey your message clearly and professionally.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 9.0

The response exhibits a high level of grammatical control. You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures correctly, such as the conditional 'Could you please let me know whether...' and the participial phrase 'Rather than missing important sessions...'. Punctuation is accurate throughout, and there are no grammatical errors. The sentences are error-free, demonstrating a strong command of English syntax and structure.

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