Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · IELTS General Essentials · 2026-09-01

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/Madam,

I am writing to explain that I am unable to continue my evening course because I am too busy with my work. I would like to continue the course next term instead and would appreciate your advice on what I should do.

As I am working as a project coordinator for one of the MNC's, due to some family health issue last month I have a lot of work pending to do. However, the deadline is next month, and I need to work overtime on that project to fulfill my commitment within the timeline as per expectation. Because of this overtime work schedule, I have to shift my course to next intake or term.

I would like you to guide me through the process and steps to perform to postpone my study next semester, but that time I would like attend morning classes.

I would really appreciate if you could guide me through the process of semester change and which time slots are available to book in.

I look forward to your response with suitable solution to my problem.

Yours faithfully,

Prarthana Patil

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response successfully addresses all three bullet points of the task. You clearly explain the reason for your request (work commitments and family health issues), state your intention to postpone the course to the next term, and ask for advice regarding the administrative process and scheduling. The tone is appropriate for a formal letter, and the purpose is clear throughout. The ideas are relevant and well-developed, meeting the requirements of the task effectively. To reach a higher band, you could provide slightly more detail regarding the specific course name or your student ID to make the request more realistic and professional.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The letter is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a formal closing. Each paragraph focuses on a specific aspect of the request, which aids readability. You use some cohesive devices such as 'However' and 'Because of this,' which help connect your ideas. However, the progression between sentences could be smoother; some transitions feel slightly mechanical. Additionally, the paragraphing is adequate, but the structure could be improved by ensuring that the request for advice is more distinctly separated from the explanation of your situation. Overall, the message is easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'project coordinator,' 'fulfill my commitment,' and 'timeline.' There are some minor inaccuracies in word choice, such as 'next intake or term' (which is slightly redundant) and 'perform to postpone' (which is not the most natural collocation). While the vocabulary is sufficient to convey your meaning clearly, there is a lack of more sophisticated or 'less common' lexical items that would elevate the response to a higher band. The tone remains consistently formal and appropriate for the context.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors, such as 'due to some family health issue' (should be plural 'issues'), 'I have a lot of work pending to do' (awkward phrasing), and 'but that time I would like attend' (missing 'to' before 'attend'). While these errors are noticeable, they do not impede communication, and the reader can easily understand your request. To improve, focus on subject-verb agreement and the correct use of infinitives. Increasing the variety of complex sentence structures would also help improve your score in this criterion.

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

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