Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · IELTS General Essentials · 2026-10-14

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 this letter regarding the evening coding course that I recently enrolled in. I just got promoted to a senior manager role that led to increased resposibilities and work load on my daily job duties. I have to stay late for overtime to complete my deadlines. Even though I am trying to focus on coding course, I am not able to give my best efforts because I get exhausted from my prior work.

Regarding my coding course, I would like to re-enroll myself to next term program. It will foster the learning process and I would be able to manage my time and work responsibilities more efficiently. In addition to this, my friend Wong will be joining next term, so that will enable me to have a companion to practice my coding lessons.

I would need an advice from your side if this idea would benefit my learning process. On top of that I would need your assistance in programming lessons because I am weak in that area.

I am hoping to hear back from you.

Yours Faithfully,

Andrew Hopkins.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.0

The letter addresses all three points: you explain that promotion has increased your workload and that overtime leaves you exhausted, state that you want to take the course next term, and ask for advice and support. Your purpose is clear throughout, and the reasons for postponing are relevant and supported. The detail about your friend Wong joining next term also helps explain why you expect the later course to suit you. To make the response more fully developed, clarify what practical arrangement you are requesting—for example, whether your current enrolment can be deferred or transferred, and whether any fees or missed lessons can be carried over. The request for help with programming is relevant, but could be linked more directly to the course provider’s available support.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0

The letter has a clear progression: it introduces the course and explains the difficulty, then describes your preferred plan, before asking for advice. Paragraphing supports this sequence, and linking phrases such as “Regarding my coding course” and “In addition to this” help connect the ideas. The closing is also appropriate for a formal letter. Some transitions feel slightly formulaic, particularly “On top of that,” which is less suited to the otherwise formal tone. The second paragraph combines the benefits of postponing with the detail about your friend; these could be connected more explicitly to show how each supports your plan. Overall, the organisation is logical and easy to follow, with room for more natural and precise linking.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use an adequate range of vocabulary for the situation, including “increased responsibilities,” “overtime,” “re-enroll,” and “manage my time.” These choices communicate the main points clearly, and the reader can understand your circumstances and request. However, some word choices and collocations are inaccurate or awkward, such as “work load on my daily job duties,” “give my best efforts,” and “I would need an advice.” There is also a spelling error in “resposibilities.” Aim for more natural combinations and precise formal phrasing; for instance, describe a heavier workload and say that you cannot devote sufficient time to the course. This would make the letter sound more fluent and professional.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.5

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, including the subordinate clause in “Even though I am trying to focus on coding course” and the conditional structure “if this idea would benefit my learning process.” Most sentences convey your meaning, and the letter remains easy to understand. Some grammatical errors remain. In “I just got promoted to a senior manager role that led to increased…,” the relative clause does not clearly express the intended cause; “which has increased…” would be clearer. Articles and noun forms also need attention: write “the coding course” and “some advice,” rather than “coding course” and “an advice.” Review tense and clause choices as well, so that complex sentences remain accurate and natural.

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

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