Band 9.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 9.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-08-26

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 language course, which is due to start next month.

I booked this course because I wanted to improve my English communication skills for my career. However, my working hours have recently changed, and I now have to work longer hours. Therefore, I will not be able to attend the classes regularly. For this reason, I would like to cancel my booking. I would also like to know whether I can receive a refund for the course fee.

Although I need to cancel this course, I am still interested in studying at your college. Could you please send me information about other part-time courses that are available in the evening or at weekends? I would prefer a course with a flexible timetable that I can manage alongside my work.

I would be grateful if you could confirm the cancellation and provide details of suitable alternative courses.

Yours faithfully,

Hari

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 9.0

The response fully addresses all three bullet points of the prompt. You clearly identified the course, provided a logical reason for the cancellation (change in working hours), 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 beginning, and the ideas are well-developed and relevant to the task requirements. No parts of the task were omitted, and the letter maintains a professional and polite register throughout.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 9.0

The letter is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph serves a distinct purpose: the introduction states the purpose, the body paragraphs explain the situation and request information, and the conclusion provides a polite closing. Cohesive devices such as 'However', 'Therefore', 'For this reason', and 'Although' 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.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for a formal business context. Phrases such as 'request the cancellation', 'due to start', and 'flexible timetable' are used accurately. The language is natural and precise, fitting the requirements of a formal letter. While the vocabulary is not overly complex, it is perfectly suited to the task and conveys your meaning without any errors. The word choice is consistent and demonstrates a solid command of English for this specific communicative purpose.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 9.0

The grammar is highly accurate throughout the letter. You have used a variety of sentence structures, including complex sentences like 'Although I need to cancel this course, I am still interested in studying at your college.' Punctuation is used correctly, and there are no grammatical errors that impede communication. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and the control over verb tenses and modal verbs (e.g., 'would be grateful', 'can receive') is excellent, reflecting a high level of grammatical competence.

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

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