You recently missed an important event that a friend had invited you to. Write a letter to your friend.
This letter asks you to apologise sincerely for missing something that mattered to a friend, so the tone has to carry real regret, not just a formal 'sorry'.
The question
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
You recently missed an important event that a friend had invited you to. Write a letter to your friend.
In your letter,
apologise and explain why you missed the event
say how you feel about missing it
suggest how you could make it up to them
You do not need to write your own address. Begin your letter as follows:
Dear Nigar,
Write at least 150 words.
What this letter needs
The main risk in this scenario is sounding either too casual about a genuine let-down or too stiff and formal for a letter to a friend. A convincing answer gives a real, specific reason for missing the event, shows authentic regret rather than a token apology, and offers a concrete way to make up for it — a plan with a date attached reads far more sincerely than a vague promise to see them soon.
Structure
Salutation — Dear Nigar, — a first-name greeting keeps the apology personal rather than distancingly formal.
Opening — Open with the apology itself stated directly, naming the event so your friend knows immediately what you're addressing.
Body 1 — Give a specific, genuine reason for missing it, since a vague excuse can undercut how sincere the apology feels.
Body 2 — Express real regret about missing that particular moment, referencing what made it matter rather than apologising in the abstract.
Body 3 — Offer a concrete way to make it up to them, ideally with a specific plan or date attached.
Closing — Close by asking them to confirm a time, showing the apology comes with real follow-through, then sign off warmly.
Model answers
Band 6.0 model answer
156 words
Dear Nigar,
I am really sorry that I did not come to your graduation party last weekend. I wanted to be there, but I suddenly got sick and had to stay in bed all day. I could not even get out of bed to call you.
I feel very bad about missing such an important day for you. You worked so hard for your degree, and I really wanted to celebrate with you. I felt terrible when I heard how much fun everyone had at the party. It has been bothering me ever since.
To make it up to you, I would like to take you out for dinner this weekend, at any restaurant you choose. I also have a small gift for you that I did not get the chance to give you at the party.
I hope you can forgive me. Please let me know if you are free this weekend.
Take care, Orkhan
Why this is Band 6.0
Gives a clear reason for missing the event and a direct apology: 'I am really sorry that I did not come to your graduation party.'
Covers the offer to make it up plainly: 'I would like to take you out for dinner this weekend.'
Simple but accurate throughout, with only minor repetition of 'party.'
Band 7.0 model answer
185 words
Dear Nigar,
I'm so sorry I didn't make it to your graduation party last Saturday. I know how much that day meant to you, and I genuinely wanted to be there, but I woke up with a terrible fever and simply couldn't get out of bed, let alone travel across town.
I've honestly felt awful about it ever since. You worked incredibly hard for that degree, and missing the chance to celebrate with you in person is something I really regret. Hearing from mutual friends how much fun everyone had only made me feel worse about not being there.
To make it up to you, I'd love to take you out for a proper celebratory dinner this weekend, wherever you'd like to go — my treat, of course. I've also got a little gift I never got the chance to give you, and I can't wait to hand it over in person.
I really hope you can forgive me for missing such a big moment. I've been thinking about you a lot since then. Let me know which day suits you best.
Take care, Orkhan
Why this is Band 7.0
Reason and regret are linked naturally: 'I woke up with a terrible fever and simply couldn't get out of bed, let alone travel across town.'
Shows genuine regret with detail: 'Hearing from mutual friends how much fun everyone had only made me feel worse.'
Offer to make up for it is specific: 'my treat, of course.'
Range of natural phrasing used accurately, such as 'I'd love to take you out for a proper celebratory dinner.'
Band 8.5 model answer
218 words
Dear Nigar,
I owe you a huge apology for missing your graduation party last Saturday — I know exactly how much that day meant to you, and I hate that I wasn't there to see you walk in with that degree you worked so hard for. I woke up that morning with a fever so bad I could barely lift my head off the pillow, let alone make it across town.
Honestly, I've felt awful about it all week. Hearing from Kamran how brilliant the night was — the speeches, the photos, all of it — only made me feel worse about being stuck in bed instead of celebrating with you. Of everyone who should have been there cheering you on, I feel like I let you down the most.
I'd love to make it up to you properly, so let me treat you to dinner this weekend at wherever you fancy — think of it as the celebration we missed. I've also been holding on to a gift I never got to give you, and I genuinely can't wait to see your face when you open it.
I hope you can forgive me for missing such a huge moment in your life. Just tell me which evening works, and I'll be there without fail.
Take care, Orkhan
Why this is Band 8.5
Opens with real remorse and vivid detail: 'a fever so bad I could barely lift my head off the pillow.'
Regret is specific and personal: 'I feel like I let you down the most.'
Idiomatic language throughout, e.g. 'think of it as the celebration we missed.'
Complex sentence structures handled fluently, such as 'Of everyone who should have been there cheering you on…'
Ends with sincere commitment: 'I'll be there without fail.'
Model answers written and reviewed by The English All-in-One IELTS team. They are teaching models showing what each band looks like, not real candidate scripts.
This is a informal letter question. The answers above show you what each band looks like when it is finished. What they cannot show you is how to get there from a blank page in twenty minutes.
That is what our Writing Study Library is for: the structure we teach for this exact question type, the paragraph pattern that goes with it, and the sentence openers for each stage — so the letter is planned before you start writing rather than assembled as you go.
Answers checked here may be published on this page, without your name, to help other learners. Nothing else about you is stored.
Common questions
Do I need to give a very detailed excuse for missing the event?
No — one clear, believable reason, such as illness or an emergency, is enough; over-explaining can make the apology feel less sincere.
How do I show real regret without sounding overly dramatic?
Reference something specific about the event that mattered to your friend, like 'missing the chance to celebrate with you in person,' rather than generic phrases like 'I'm very sad.'
Is it enough just to say sorry, or do I need to offer something?
The task specifically asks how you'll make it up to them, so a concrete offer — dinner, a gift, a plan with a date — is expected, not optional.
What tone should the apology have — humble or upbeat?
Mostly humble and sincere, but it's fine to end on a slightly warmer, forward-looking note once the apology and offer have been made.
