Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-09-24

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 to inform you that I would like to cancel my booking for the part-time Business Administration course, which is due to commence next month.

Unfortunately, there has been an unexpected change in my work schedule. My employer has recently changed my working hours, and I am now required to work during the evenings. Since the classes for this course are also scheduled in the evening, it would be extremely difficult for me to attend them regularly. Therefore, I have no choice but to cancel my current booking.

However, I am still keen to continue my studies at your college. I would appreciate it if you could let me know whether you offer any part-time Accounting or Computer Skills courses at weekends. If so, please provide me with information regarding the course schedule, fees and the next available starting date.

I would also be grateful if you could explain the procedure for transferring my current booking to another course.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours faithfully,

Ravneet Kaur

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 8.0

The candidate has fully and effectively addressed all parts of the task instructions. The letter opens with the required formal salutation and immediately identifies the specific part-time Business Administration course that was booked, meeting the first bullet point. The second bullet point is thoroughly developed by explaining the unexpected change in work schedule and evening hours that makes attendance impossible. Finally, the third bullet point is covered comprehensively by asking about alternative weekend courses in Accounting or Computer Skills, inquiring about schedules, fees, and start dates, and asking about the transfer procedure. The tone is consistently appropriate for a formal letter to a college administrator, and the purpose of the communication is crystal clear throughout the response.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 8.0

The letter exhibits a clear logical organisation and smooth progression of ideas from the initial cancellation to the explanation and subsequent inquiries. Paragraphing is used skillfully and appropriately, with each paragraph serving a distinct and clear communicative function. Cohesive devices such as 'Unfortunately', 'Since', 'Therefore', and 'However' are employed accurately and naturally to link sentences and ideas together without any mechanical over-use. The referencing throughout the text is precise, ensuring that the reader can easily follow the sequence of events and requests made by the candidate.

Lexical Resource: Band 7.0

The candidate demonstrates a sufficient and precise range of vocabulary appropriate for a formal correspondence of this nature. Less common lexical items and collocations are used effectively, such as 'commence', 'unexpected change', 'scheduled in the evening', and 'procedure for transferring'. Word choices are accurate, and spelling is flawless throughout the piece. While the vocabulary is not exceptionally sophisticated or rare, it is fully adequate to convey precise meaning with good style, fitting comfortably within the Band 7 descriptors.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 8.0

The writing features a wide variety of complex grammatical structures used with a high degree of accuracy. The candidate successfully integrates conditional and dependent clauses, such as 'which is due to commence next month', 'Since the classes for this course are also scheduled in the evening, it would be extremely difficult...', and 'I would appreciate it if you could let me know whether you offer...'. The majority of sentences are completely error-free, demonstrating excellent control of tense, subject-verb agreement, and punctuation. The occasional minor structural complexities are handled smoothly, reflecting strong command over the grammar.

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