Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.5 · IELTS General Essentials · 2026-07-24

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

You have enrolled in an evening course but you have found that you are too busy to continue and would like to take the course next term instead.

• explain the situation and why you cannot continue the course

• say what you would like to do about your studies

• ask for advice about what you can do about the situation

Student answer (Band 8.5)

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing about the evening course that I started recently. Unfortunately, I have found that I am too busy to continue attending the classes.

I have recently started a new job, and my working hours are longer than I expected. I also have some family responsibilities, so I do not have enough time to study or attend the lessons regularly. I do not want to miss too many classes because I want to learn properly.

I would like to take the same course next term instead. I hope it is possible to transfer my place without paying the full course fee again. I am still interested in completing the course when I have more free time.

Could you please advise me about what I should do in this situation? I would also like to know if I need to fill in any forms or contact another department.

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

Yours faithfully,

Aman

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5

The response fully addresses all three bullet points in the prompt. You clearly explain the situation regarding your new job and family responsibilities, state your intention to defer to the next term, and ask relevant questions about the administrative procedure. The tone is appropriate for a formal letter, and the purpose is clear from the beginning. All parts of the task are well-developed, and the letter maintains a consistent, professional register throughout. You have successfully communicated your needs while adhering to the conventions of a formal request.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5

The letter is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph serves a distinct purpose, moving from the explanation of the situation to the proposed solution and finally to the request for advice. Cohesive devices such as 'Unfortunately', 'I also', and 'instead' are used effectively to link sentences and ideas. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the transition between the explanation of your circumstances and your request for a deferral is smooth and easy to follow. The structure is coherent and supports the overall message well.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey your meaning with precision. Phrases such as 'family responsibilities', 'transfer my place', and 'completing the course' are used accurately. While the vocabulary is functional and appropriate for the task, it remains relatively standard. To reach a higher band, you could incorporate more sophisticated collocations or nuanced expressions related to formal requests, such as 'unforeseen circumstances' or 'administrative requirements'. However, the current range is more than adequate for the task, and there are no errors in word choice that impede communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5

The response displays a good command of grammatical structures. You use a mix of simple and complex sentences effectively, such as 'I do not want to miss too many classes because I want to learn properly.' The punctuation is accurate, and the sentence construction is error-free. The grammar is consistent and supports clear communication. While the range of complex structures is somewhat limited, the accuracy is high, and the writing flows naturally. The use of modal verbs like 'could' and 'would' is appropriate for the formal tone of the letter.

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