Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.5 · IELTS General Essentials · 2026-08-10
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 6.5)
Dear Sir,
I want to use this medium to request for withdrawal from my evening course programme ,because of my busy schedule. I would like to defer it till next academic session.
The reason why i want to shift it to next session is that my name was shortlisted last week among the people that will embark on an annual pilgrimage to Jerusalem at my place of work by the end of this month. Based on that, i will be missing many lectures and examinations for this term. with this recent schedule, I have given it much thoughts to discontinue my studies for now to start with next session so as to concentrate well . My course is a sensitive course that i cannot do half hazard. It needs to be given enough time to be sure of what i am studying.
I would like to seek for your sincere advice on what i can do on this situation so that i will not miss the right thing to do because you know the institution programme more than i know.
In conclusion, i have seen that making that trip will yield something better for me in future . That is why i must travel. But, your candid advice can also help me to make a better decision. Thanks for your co operation and understanding. I remain anticipated.
Yours faithfully,
Chilaka Uchechi Esther
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 6.0 |
| Overall | 6.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0
The response successfully addresses all three bullet points of the prompt. You clearly explain the situation regarding your busy schedule and the specific reason (the pilgrimage), state your intention to defer the course, and seek advice. The tone is appropriate for a formal letter to an institution. The ideas are relevant and well-developed, providing enough context for the reader to understand your predicament. To reach a higher band, ensure that the connection between your personal situation and the request for advice is more tightly integrated, as the final paragraph feels slightly repetitive regarding the trip.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5
The letter is logically organized with a clear introduction, body, and conclusion. Paragraphing is used to separate the explanation of the situation from the request for advice. While the progression of ideas is generally clear, some cohesive devices are used in a slightly mechanical or repetitive way, such as 'Based on that' and 'In conclusion'. Additionally, the transition between the explanation of the pilgrimage and the request for advice could be smoother. Overall, the message is easy to follow, and the structure serves the purpose of the letter well.
Lexical Resource — Band 6.0
You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for this task. Phrases like 'shortlisted', 'embark on', and 'candid advice' are used effectively. However, there are some inaccuracies in word choice and collocation, such as 'half hazard' (should be 'haphazard') and 'I remain anticipated' (which is not a standard closing phrase). While these errors do not impede communication, they indicate a need for more precise control over idiomatic expressions and formal register. Expanding your vocabulary to include more varied formal transitions would also be beneficial.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0
The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors, such as 'I have given it much thoughts' (should be 'thought'), 'the institution programme' (should be 'the institution's programme'), and 'do on this situation' (should be 'do in this situation'). Punctuation is generally functional, though there are some issues with spacing and capitalization (e.g., 'i' instead of 'I'). While these errors are noticeable, they do not prevent the reader from understanding your meaning. To improve, focus on subject-verb agreement and the correct use of prepositions.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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