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 Francisco, How are you? I hope you had a safe journey back to Portugal. I'm writing this letter to apologize for not returning your book as promised. I really am sorry that I could not return the book "Advanced Introduction to Behavioral Economics" before you travelledbefore you had travelled back hometo your home country. I borrowed this book from you last termduring the last term, and I'm indebted to you for lending me this book just before the final exam of the termterm final exam. It was a great help. I intended to return it within a few days but unfortunatelyto my bad, I completelytotally forgot, which I deeply regret. I'm not quite sure whetherif this book is still important to you. If so, just let me know, and I will send itI'll manage to send it to your current addressto your address. I am ready to coverbear the courier cost. I can send it by express airmailpost it via express airmail immediately. Alternatively, I can send you some money so that you can buy it infrom your country. Please let me know what you would like me to dowhat you want me to do. Please write to me sometimedo write to me sometimes and take carestay fine. Warm wishes, Merrill
Why this response received Band 8.0
The letter achieves its purpose very effectively, giving a convincing apology, checking how urgently the book is needed, and proposing practical return or replacement options in a logical sequence. Its main limitation is a small number of non-idiomatic phrases and minor language slips, alongside limited paragraphing; prioritise dividing the message into clear sections and replacing awkward expressions with natural, precise wording.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Achievement
The letter strongly addresses all bullets: apology, checking importance and offering return or replacement options.
Keep the relevant content, then revise the wording and organisation points highlighted in the essay comments.
Coherence and Cohesion
The progression is clear and logical, though paragraphing would make it easier to scan.
Use clearer paragraphing and smoother links so each bullet point is easy to follow.
Lexical Resource
Vocabulary is mostly natural, but a few phrases are non-idiomatic, such as “to my bad” and “bear the courier cost”.
Prefer natural collocations and precise topic vocabulary over overformal or translated-sounding phrases.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
Grammar is mostly accurate, with minor tense, preposition and idiom issues.
Proofread tense, articles, prepositions and sentence boundaries before submitting.
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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.