The IELTS Teacher Mastering IELTS Writing: Model Answers

One of your friends recently had a birthday celebration, but you missed
it and you forgot to tell your friend that you couldn’t attend.

Write a letter to your friend. In your letter

• apologise for missing the birthday celebration

• explain why you missed it and why you didn’t tell your friend
• and say what you would like to do to show that you are sorry

Dear Maria,

I hope you’re ________ okay?

I’m just writing to say that I’m so sorry ________ not being there for your
birthday party. And, ________ worse, I’m sorry for not ________ you that I
________ be there. I can imagine you ________ been quite upset, which is
totally ________.

I know it doesn’t really ________ the no-show, but what happened was
________ my boss dropped a stack of ________ on my desk at the
________ minute and told me it had to be finished that night. I was in
________ a panic that I guess I must’ve forgotten all about the party and the
________ to message you.

Can you let me make ________ up to you? How about we go out for a meal
next week, ________ you like, and I can treat you to my very own slightly
________, extremely apologetic birthday celebration? I feel just ________
about all of this, but I hope you can ________ me.

Love,
Paula

COMPLETED LETTER ON NEXT PAGE

The IELTS Teacher 2019

The IELTS Teacher Mastering IELTS Writing: Model Answers

Dear Maria,

I hope you’re doing okay?

I’m just writing to say that I’m so sorry about not being there for your birthday
party. And, even worse, I’m sorry for not warning you that I wouldn’t be there.
I can imagine you must’ve been quite upset, which is totally understandable.

I know it doesn’t really excuse the no-show, but what happened was that my
boss dropped a stack of paperwork on my desk at the last minute and told me
it had to be finished that night. I was in such a panic that I guess I must’ve for-
gotten all about the party and the need to message you.

Can you let me make it up to you? How about we go out for a meal next
week, anywhere you like, and I can treat you to my very own slightly belated,
extremely apologetic birthday celebration? I feel just awful about all of this,
but I hope you can forgive me.

Love,
Paula

The IELTS Teacher 2019