Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-07-24

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

You have bought some clothing online and are not satisfied with your purchase.

Write a letter to the company that you bought the clothing from. In your email:

• give details of the purchase
• describe the problem
• explain why you need a replacement urgently

You do NOT need to write any addresses.

Begin your letter as follows:

Dear Sir or Madam,

Student answer (Band 8.5)

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing to express my dissatisfaction with a purchase of a traditional kurta from your website.

I placed the order on 20 July, and it was delivered yesterday. Although the delivery was prompt, the product did not meet my expectations.

The product shown on the website was a yellow-coloured designer kurta with a premium feel to it and can be worn on special occasions. Unfortunately, I am dissatisfied with the quality of the product as the color is noticeably faded and dull. In addition, the stitching feels unfinished and the embroidery is not up to the mark. Overall, the product is unsuitable for the wedding.

I have my sister’s wedding this Sunday and my friends and I were supposed to color code with each other. I would appreciate it if you could arrange a replacement with the same color and design using an express delivery option so that it reaches me before Sunday.

I look forward to your prompt response and a satisfactory resolution to this matter.

Yours faithfully,

Harsh Rathod

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5

The response fully addresses all three bullet points of the prompt. You clearly provided the purchase details (order date, item type), described the specific problems with the kurta (faded color, poor stitching, embroidery issues), and explained the urgent need for a replacement due to the upcoming wedding. The tone is appropriate for a formal complaint letter, and the purpose is clear from the outset. The ideas are well-developed and relevant to the task requirements, demonstrating a strong understanding of the prompt's expectations.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5

The letter is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph serves a distinct purpose, moving from the introduction of the issue to the specific details of the complaint and finally the requested resolution. Cohesive devices such as 'Although', 'In addition', and 'Overall' are used effectively to link sentences and ideas. The paragraphing is appropriate for a formal letter, and the flow of information is smooth and easy to follow throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for a formal complaint. Phrases like 'express my dissatisfaction', 'meet my expectations', and 'satisfactory resolution' are well-chosen and natural. You successfully use descriptive language to explain the defects, such as 'noticeably faded and dull' and 'not up to the mark'. The vocabulary is precise and contributes to the professional tone of the letter. There are no significant errors in word choice or collocation that impede communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5

The writing displays a good command of grammatical structures. You use a mix of simple and complex sentences effectively, such as the conditional structure in the final paragraph. Punctuation is generally accurate, and the sentence construction is clear. There are no major grammatical errors that distract the reader. The control over verb tenses is consistent, particularly when describing past events and future requirements. The writing is fluent and demonstrates a high level of accuracy throughout the response.

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