You borrowed an important textbook during the last term from a classmate. You now realize your classmate has returned home overseas and you still have the book. Write a letter to him/her. In your letter: - apologize for the mistake - find out how important the book is to him/her - say what you will do Dear...............,
Sample Response
Dear Sara, I hope you and your family are doing wellHope you and your family are doing great. I didn't attend classes for a few days due to a serious viral fever. When I returned to classOnce I came back to join the class, I heard that you had moved to Indiayou've moved to India. I hope you had a pleasant journey. Then I realisedOn that day, I realized that I borrowed the 'Introduction to Computer Science' book from you and forgot to return it. I'm really sorry for not returning your book as promised. I guess this book is very importantI guess, this book is very important to you for your further studies in India as you once told meas you have told me once that you are joining an advanced computer course in your home country. Could you let me know if you really require this book for your next course? If so, how quickly do you need it backdo you need it? I'm wondering whether I should send a scanned copyscan-copy of this book or sendsent you money to buy another copythe same copy from India. Alternatively, I can send this book by couriervia a courier service, and you'll likely receive it in two weeks. I am waiting for your replyWaiting for your reply. Take care. Warm regards, Janaka
Why this response received Band 7.0
The letter is friendly, purposeful, and easy to follow, covering the apology, the book's importance, and several practical ways to resolve the situation. Its main limitation is that the options are presented in a dense block without a clearly prioritised plan, while a few awkward collocations and verb forms reduce polish. Lead with one preferred action, then organise the apology and backup options into short paragraphs and proofread the key verb forms.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Achievement
The letter fulfils the purpose well: it apologises, asks whether Sara needs the textbook, and offers several practical solutions. The tone is friendly and suitable for a classmate, though the explanation could be slightly more direct and the final plan could be prioritised more clearly.
State the preferred action first, such as sending the book by courier, and then mention scan or money as backup options.
Coherence and Cohesion
The message progresses naturally from greeting and background to apology, questions, and possible solutions. It is easy to follow, but it is written as one dense block and some time references are a little loose.
Use short paragraphs for background, apology, and proposed action so the reader can locate each bullet point quickly.
Lexical Resource
Vocabulary is generally natural and precise enough for the situation, with phrases such as "advanced computer course" and "courier service". A few collocations are awkward, including "scan-copy" and "sent you money".
Replace informal or inaccurate collocations with standard phrases such as "scanned copy" and "send you the money".
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
Most sentences are clear and a range of forms is used. Accuracy is reduced by fragments, tense choice, and a few verb-form errors, but these rarely block meaning.
Proofread verb forms after modals and coordinate structures, especially around "send" and "sent".
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IELTS General Training Writing Task 1
You borrowed an important textbook during the last term from a classmate. You now realize your classmate has returned home overseas and you still have the book. Write a letter to him/her. In your letter:
- apologize for the mistake
- find out how important the book is to him/her
- say what you will do Dear...............,
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.