Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.5 · IELTS General Essentials · 2026-09-27

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 regarding the evening course in Business Administration that I recently enrolled in. Unfortunately, I have found it increasingly difficult to attend the classes because of my current work commitments.

My working hours have recently been extended, and I am now required to stay at work until late several evenings a week. As a result, I have missed a number of classes and am concerned that I will not be able to keep up with the coursework if I continue this term.

I would therefore like to postpone my studies until the next term, when I expect my work schedule to be more manageable. I am very keen to complete the course and would appreciate the opportunity to continue from where I left off rather than withdrawing completely.

Could you please advise me on whether it is possible to defer my enrolment until next term? I would also be grateful if you could let me know whether there are any forms to complete or additional fees to pay.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours faithfully,

Mariam

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 8.0

Your response fully addresses all bullet points outlined in the prompt. You clearly explain the situation regarding your enrolment in the Business Administration evening course and why work commitments prevent you from attending. You state your preferred course of action by expressing your wish to postpone your studies until next term and continue from where you left off. Finally, you successfully ask for advice regarding the administrative procedures by inquiring about deferral possibilities, required forms, and additional fees. The tone is appropriate for a formal letter to an educational institution, and the ideas are fully developed and well supported throughout the text.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 8.0

Your letter is logically organised with a clear and natural progression of ideas from the initial explanation to the final requests. Paragraphing is used effectively and appropriately, with each paragraph serving a distinct purpose in developing your message. Cohesive devices such as 'Unfortunately', 'My working hours', 'As a result', and 'Could you please' are managed well to connect your thoughts smoothly without feeling mechanical. Referencing throughout the letter is clear, and the overall structure follows standard formal correspondence conventions seamlessly.

Lexical Resource: Band 8.5

You demonstrate a wide and flexible range of vocabulary suited to a formal context. Phrases such as 'recently enrolled in', 'increasingly difficult', 'work commitments', 'keep up with the coursework', and 'defer my enrolment' show a strong command of appropriate lexical items. Word choice and collocations are used with precision, and there are no spelling or word-choice errors that impede communication. Your vocabulary effectively conveys your situation and inquiries with clarity and sophistication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 8.5

Your letter exhibits a wide range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences such as 'Unfortunately, I have found it increasingly difficult to attend the classes because of my current work commitments' and 'Could you please advise me on whether it is possible to defer my enrolment until next term?'. The vast majority of your sentences are completely error-free, and you demonstrate excellent control over tense consistency, punctuation, and clause structuring. Only very occasional minor slips, if any, could be identified, placing this response at a very high level.

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