Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-09-14

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 6.5)

Dear Sir or Madam,

Subject: Cancellation of my course booking.

I am writing to cancel my part-time Project Management course, which is going to start with the next batch. I was very excited to join this course but I have to go to Toronto next week for my urgent business meetings which require me to stay there for at least 2 months to attend my all meetings, as well as seminars. These are very crucial for me and my company to get top notch sponsors and great deals. I tried a lot to reschedule my meetings but unfortunately I faild to reschedule it.

In addition, I would like to request you to refund my credits so I can use my these credits for a reservation of the Digital Marketing course, which is going to start after 4 months. I hope that you will understand me. I would be thankful to you for your assistance.

I looking forward to your positive response.

Yours faithfully,

Sukhbir.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

You have successfully covered all three bullet points required in the task instructions. You clearly stated which part-time course you booked ('Project Management course'), explained why you need to cancel due to urgent business meetings in Toronto, and asked about booking a different course, specifically requesting a credit transfer for the Digital Marketing course. The tone is appropriate for a formal letter to a college administrator, and the purpose of your communication is immediately clear. All requirements are fully addressed with relevant details provided, which aligns well with the descriptors for a Band 7.0.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The letter has a clear logical progression and is organized into appropriate paragraphs that separate your main points. You use helpful cohesive devices and transition phrases such as 'In addition' and 'I would like to request you' to guide the reader smoothly through your message. However, the paragraphing and linking could be slightly more polished to achieve a higher band. Additionally, referencing at one point is slightly clunky, as seen in 'my these credits', which disrupts the natural flow of cohesion. Overall, the structure is coherent and easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary suitable for this transactional letter, including terms like 'reschedule', 'reservation', and 'assistance'. You also attempt some less common collocations and phrases, such as 'top notch sponsors' and 'urgent business meetings'. However, there are a few lexical inaccuracies and awkward phrasings, such as 'faild' (spelling error) and 'use my these credits', which indicate a lack of precision. While communication is never impeded, these slips prevent the vocabulary score from reaching the higher bands.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

You demonstrate a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as using relative clauses ('which is going to start with the next batch') and conditional or concessive ideas. There are several grammatical errors and awkward constructions present, notably 'unfortunately I faild to reschedule it' (tense/spelling), 'attend my all meetings', and the incorrect verb form in 'I looking forward to your positive response', which should be 'I am looking forward' or 'I look forward'. Despite these errors, they rarely impede overall communication, placing your grammar securely in the Band 6.0 category.

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

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