Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-10-16

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 7.0)

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing to request you to cancel my bookings for a part-time course that I have recently booked.

My name is Harpreet Kaur Sidhu, and I reserved a seat in a part-time diploma of Business adminstration in your campus for upcoming semester. I booked this course because I was thinking of starting my own business after completeing my studies.

Unfortunately, I would like to cancel my reservations, as I found that there is not much scope of this course anymore, and for starting my own business I will require substantial funds. It might be quite arduous for me to manage all financial needs even to begin a small firm.

Instead of business diploma, now I would like to enroll in the course of carpentry. I believe that if I get admission in carpentry education, I would obtain some hands-on experience. These skill trade education is also in a huge demand in market. So, I would really appreciate it if you could book this course for me.

I hope you will consider my request, and I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Yours faithfully,

Harpreet Kaur.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.5

The letter clearly addresses all three requirements: you identify the Business Administration diploma, explain that its prospects seem limited and that funding a business would be difficult, and ask to enrol in carpentry instead. Your reasons are relevant and your request is clear, with a suitable formal opening and closing. The explanation is extended with the point about needing substantial funds, although the claim that the course has “not much scope” is quite general; a brief, specific reason for this view would make the explanation more convincing. The request to book carpentry is direct, but you could also ask whether a place is available and what steps are needed to transfer your booking. Overall, the purpose and position remain clear throughout.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0

The information follows a clear, logical sequence: you introduce the cancellation, give the course and your original reason for choosing it, explain the change of plan, and then request a different course. Paragraphing supports this progression, and linking expressions such as “Unfortunately,” “Instead of,” and “So” help connect the ideas. The letter is easy to follow, though some transitions are a little mechanical, particularly the move from the financial explanation to the carpentry request. The repeated references to cancelling “bookings” and “reservations” could also be made more consistent. To strengthen cohesion further, use a more direct link between your financial circumstances and why carpentry is now a better choice, and vary or reduce the linking phrases where the relationship is already clear.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.5

You use an adequate range of vocabulary for a formal request, including “substantial funds,” “arduous,” and “hands-on experience.” These choices show an attempt to use less common language, and the meaning is generally clear. However, some word choices and collocations are inaccurate or unnatural: “not much scope of this course,” “carpentry education,” and “skill trade education” do not express your ideas idiomatically. There are also spelling errors in “adminstration” and “completeing.” Choose established phrases such as “limited career prospects,” “a carpentry course,” and “skilled trades are in high demand.” More precise, natural collocations and careful proofreading would make your vocabulary more flexible and controlled.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.5

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, including a reason clause with “as” and a conditional structure beginning “if I get admission.” Most sentences communicate your meaning, and the formal letter format is handled appropriately. Some grammatical errors remain, however. In “I was thinking of starting my own business after completeing my studies,” the verb form should be “completing”; in “These skill trade education are,” the demonstrative and subject do not agree; and “for upcoming semester” needs an article or determiner. The phrase “after completeing my studies” also needs a clearer grammatical connection to the intended timing. Review articles, agreement, and verb forms, while continuing to use varied sentence structures.

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

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