Letter

Band 9: You were unable to attend a family member's wedding due to a prior commitment. Write a letter to the family member explaining why you could not attend. You should include details about: - the prior commitment that prevented you from attending - your feelings about missing the wedding - how you plan to celebrate with them later.

See all user-written answers on this topic

Skyrocket your IELTS band score by 1-2 points in under a month with our premium plan!

Note: Both the topic and the answer were created by one of our users.

Dear Shokhrux,

Thank you so much for the wedding invitation! I was thrilled to receive it, and it means a lot that you wanted me to be part of such a special day.

Unfortunately, I won’t be able to attend the wedding because I have a prior commitment that I cannot reschedule. I am really gutted to miss it, as I was genuinely looking forward to celebrating this milestone with you and [Partner’s Name]. Please accept my sincere apologies – I feel terrible that I won’t be there in person to cheer you both on.

I would love to make it up to you and celebrate properly once the whirlwind of the wedding has settled. Let’s plan to get together for dinner at [Restaurant Name] or grab coffee sometime in a few weeks so I can hear all about how it went and properly congratulate you both in person.

Wishing you and [Partner’s Name] a wonderful wedding day and a lifetime of happiness together!

Warmly,

Sukhob

Word Count: 166

Check Your Answer On This Topic?

Check My Answer

Generate A Band-9 Sample Answer?

Generate A Sample

Overall Band Score

(+/- 0.5)

Vocabulary Complexity:
B1 - Intermediate
Using more sophisticated words could be beneficial.

Grammar Mistakes: N/A

Vocabulary Repetition:

wedding: 4

name]: 3

Try using synonyms for the above words

Task Response

The letter fully addresses all three task requirements: it clearly explains the reason for not attending (a prior commitment that cannot be rescheduled), offers a sincere apology and expression of regret, and proposes a specific plan to celebrate later (dinner or coffee). The tone is warm, appropriate, and personal, with a natural flow. The only minor omission is that the partner's name is left as a placeholder, but this is acceptable as it does not detract from the overall effectiveness. To achieve a perfect response, ensure all placeholders are filled in, but this is a minor detail. Overall, the letter is excellent and meets the criteria for a band 9.

Coherence & Cohesion

The letter is exceptionally well-organized and easy to follow. The message flows naturally from expressing gratitude, to explaining the inability to attend, offering an apology, and suggesting a future celebration. Paragraphing is skillfully managed, and cohesive devices are used seamlessly without drawing attention. No lapses in coherence or cohesion are present.

Lexical Resource

The vocabulary is wide-ranging, accurate, and used with natural sophistication. Words and phrases like 'thrilled,' 'gutted,' 'genuinely looking forward,' 'whirlwind of the wedding,' and 'make it up to you' demonstrate excellent lexical control. The tone is appropriately warm and personal, fitting the context perfectly.

Grammatical Range & Accuracy

The letter displays a wide range of grammatical structures with full flexibility and control. Sentences are varied in length and complexity, including complex structures like 'I was thrilled to receive it, and it means a lot that you wanted me to be part of such a special day.' Punctuation and grammar are used appropriately throughout, with no errors detected.

Answers On The Same Topic:

See All

Check Your Answer On This Topic?

Generate A Band-9 Sample Answer?

Overall Band Score

Task Response

Coherence & Cohesion

Lexical Resource

Grammatical Range & Accuracy

Answers On The Same Topic:

Other Topics:

You have noticed that the public library in your area is not keeping its books and facilities in good condition. Write a letter to the library manager. In your letter, describe the problems you have noticed, explain why they are important, and suggest what the library should do to improve.

You are attending a course at school. Write a letter to the school with a complaint about the course. In your letter, you should: describe the course you are taking; explain what you don't like about the course; give your opinion about what should be done about it.

You are moving out of a rented apartment where you have lived for several years. Write a letter to your landlord. In your letter: tell the landlord that you are leaving thank them for their support during your stay explain what you liked most about living there

You have lost an item of value on a train. Write a letter ot the railway company. In your letter: 1. describe the item 2. explain where and when you left it 3. say what action you would like the company to take

Check Your Answer On This Topic?

Generate A Band-9 Sample Answer?

Overall Band Score

Task Response

Coherence & Cohesion

Lexical Resource

Grammatical Range & Accuracy

Answers On The Same Topic:

Other Topics:

Plans & Pricing

Free

Premium