Band 9.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 9.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-08-21

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 English Literature course, which I recently enrolled in at your college.

Unfortunately, due to a change in my work schedule, I have been asked to work additional hours, including some evenings. As a result, I will no longer be able to attend the classes regularly. I am therefore unable to continue with the course and would like to cancel my booking. I apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

However, I am still very interested in studying at your college. I would be grateful if you could provide me with information about other part-time courses that are available at weekends or during daytime hours. In particular, I would like to know whether there are any suitable language or communication courses that I could book instead.

Please let me know if I can transfer my current booking to another course and whether there are any additional fees.

Thank you for your assistance. I look forward to your reply.

Yours faithfully,

Keith

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 9.0

The response fully addresses all three bullet points required by the task. You clearly identified the course (English Literature), provided a logical and plausible reason for cancellation (work schedule changes), and effectively inquired about alternative options. The tone is consistently appropriate for a formal letter to an administrator. The purpose of the letter is clear from the outset, and the ideas are well-developed and relevant to the context. There are no omissions, and the response meets the requirements of the task prompt in a professional and concise manner.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 9.0

The letter is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph serves a distinct purpose, moving from the statement of intent to the explanation, the inquiry, and finally the closing. Cohesive devices such as 'Unfortunately', 'As a result', 'However', and 'In particular' are used naturally and effectively to link sentences and ideas. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the flow of information is smooth, making the letter very easy to follow. There is no evidence of mechanical or repetitive use of linking words.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.0

The vocabulary is precise, natural, and well-suited to a formal business context. You demonstrate a good command of collocations such as 'request the cancellation', 'enrolled in', 'attend the classes regularly', and 'transfer my current booking'. The language is sophisticated enough to convey the message clearly without being overly complex or forced. There are no errors in word choice or spelling, and the tone remains consistently formal throughout the letter, which is appropriate for the task.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 9.0

The writing exhibits a high level of grammatical accuracy. You use a variety of sentence structures, including complex sentences (e.g., 'I would be grateful if you could provide me with information about other part-time courses that are available at weekends...'). Punctuation is used correctly throughout, and there are no grammatical errors that impede communication. The control over verb tenses and modal verbs is excellent, reflecting a high degree of proficiency and attention to detail in your writing.

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

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