IELTS General Task 1: Letter Apologising to a Friend for Missing an Event

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Writing Prompt

A close friend recently held a special celebration, but you were unable to attend at the last minute.

Write a letter to your friend. In your letter:

apologise for not being able to come to the event
explain what happened that prevented you from attending
suggest a way you could make it up to your friend

Write at least 150 words. You do NOT need to write any addresses. Begin your letter as follows: Dear Sam,

Show Band 8–9 model answer

Dear Sam,

I’ve been feeling awful ever since Saturday and wanted to write to apologise sincerely for missing your celebration. I know how much this event meant to you, and I’m genuinely sorry I wasn’t there to share such an important day.

On my way to the venue, my car broke down on the motorway. At first I thought it was a minor issue, but the engine wouldn’t restart and I had to wait over an hour for roadside assistance. By the time the mechanic arrived and confirmed it wasn’t safe to drive, it was already late in the evening and there were no trains running from the nearest town. I tried calling you several times, but I imagine you were busy hosting everyone.

To make up for missing your big night, I’d love to take you out for a special dinner at that new Italian place you mentioned, my treat. We could also look through any photos or videos from the celebration so you can tell me all about it properly.

Once again, I’m really sorry I let you down and hope you can forgive me.

All my best,
[Your Name]

Why this response works

This letter would score highly because it fully addresses all three bullet points with clear, relevant detail. The purpose is immediately established and maintained, creating a coherent narrative around the missed event. Ideas are logically organised into distinct paragraphs with effective progression and cohesion, using a range of linking devices naturally. Vocabulary is varied yet appropriate to an informal context (e.g. “felt awful,” “share such an important day,” “my treat”). Grammatical structures show good variety, including complex sentences and accurate tense use, with a high level of control and no major errors that impede understanding, supporting a Band 8–9 level performance.

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