Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.5 · IELTS General Essentials · 2026-09-17
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 7.5)
Dear Sir/ Ma,
I am writing this letter to inform you of my inability to continue with the evening course I had previously registered for, due to my tight schedule at work.
When I registered for the evening course early in the year, I honestly believed I would be free in the evenings to take the course, because then, I only go into the office in the morning. However, due to a recent administrative change at my place of work, I have now been enlisted to come to the office in the evening. This therefore means that it would be impossible to continue with the evening course this year.
In that case, I am humbly apply to defer the evening course until next year when my work circumstances will permit me to be available in the evening. For now, I am more confortable to proceed only with virtual courses in the morning.
I am, however, open to further advice on how you feel I can proceed in my current circumstances. While I believe deferring the course for a year may be my best bet, I understand that you may be aware of some other options available to students in this situation.
While anticipating a favourable response.
Yours faithfully,
Jesutofunmi Idowu
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.0 |
| Overall | 7.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5
The candidate successfully covers all three bullet points required by the prompt in a clear and appropriate manner. The situation and the reason for not being able to continue are fully explained, referencing the tight schedule and administrative changes at work. The desire to defer the course until next year is clearly stated, and the letter appropriately asks for advice on alternative options available. The tone is polite, formal, and well-suited to a correspondence with an educational institution. The ideas are fully developed and appropriately extended throughout the response, meeting all requirements for this criterion with a strong and cohesive delivery.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5
The letter exhibits clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Ideas are logically sequenced, moving smoothly from the greeting and statement of purpose to the detailed explanation, proposed action, request for advice, and appropriate sign-off. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately, with each paragraph focusing on a distinct aspect of the message. Cohesive devices are handled well, using transition words and referencing effectively, such as 'However, due to a recent administrative change' and 'In that case', which helps guide the reader through the text seamlessly.
Lexical Resource — Band 7.0
The candidate demonstrates a sufficient and generally flexible range of vocabulary suitable for a formal letter. Items such as 'administrative change', 'enlisted', and 'defer' are used appropriately. There are minor lexical inaccuracies, such as writing 'confertable' instead of 'comfortable' and 'I am humbly apply' instead of 'I humbly apply'. However, these errors do not impede communication, and the writer attempts less common vocabulary with an appropriate level of stylistic awareness, achieving a solid performance for lexical resource.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0
The response features a good mix of simple and complex sentence forms, demonstrating control over grammatical structures. Complex sentences, such as 'When I registered for the evening course early in the year, I honestly believed I would be free in the evenings...', are handled well. The majority of sentences are clear and correct. The minor grammatical slips, notably 'I only go into the office' (tense shift) and 'I am humbly apply to defer', are occasional and do not obstruct overall comprehension or the formal tone of the letter.
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