Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-07-26

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 7.0)

Dear sir/Madam,

I am writing regarding dissatisfaction with my online purchase. I would like to bring to your attention that the size of the dress does not meet my expectations.

Firstly, I would like to mention details of my purchase. The order was placed from your official website, and my order number is P76491.

Furthermore, I would like to explain that the details provided in the size chart are inappropriate. In addition, I ordered a small size, but that is too small for me. I believe that if you could replace with a size would help to resolve this matter effectively.

Finally, I would like to request that I need this dress for my sister's wedding, which is next Friday.

I hope you consider my request and take the necessary steps as soon as possible.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to receiving your response.

Yours faithfully,

Sam

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response addresses all three bullet points of the prompt. You clearly state the order number, describe the issue with the size chart and the dress, and explain the urgency regarding your sister's wedding. The tone is appropriate for a formal letter of complaint. However, the development of ideas is somewhat brief. For instance, explaining why the size chart was 'inappropriate' could be more specific to help the company understand the error. Overall, the task is fully addressed, and the purpose of the letter is clear to the reader.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The letter follows a logical structure with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a closing. You use cohesive devices such as 'Firstly', 'Furthermore', and 'Finally' to guide the reader through your points. While these are effective, the transition between the second and third paragraphs is slightly abrupt. The paragraphing is appropriate for a formal letter, and the progression of ideas is easy to follow throughout the text. The use of referencing is generally clear, ensuring that the reader understands the context of your complaint.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for this task, using terms like 'dissatisfaction', 'effectively', and 'consideration'. However, there are some minor issues with word choice and collocation. For example, saying the size chart is 'inappropriate' is slightly unnatural; 'inaccurate' or 'misleading' would be more precise. Additionally, the phrase 'replace with a size' is incomplete. Expanding your range of descriptive adjectives and ensuring precise collocations would help elevate your score. The vocabulary used is sufficient to communicate your message clearly without any significant ambiguity.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The letter contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. Most sentences are grammatically sound, and your meaning is always clear. There are a few minor errors, such as 'replace with a size would help' (which is missing an object, e.g., 'a different size') and 'I need this dress for my sister's wedding' (which is slightly repetitive in the context of the request). Punctuation is generally accurate, and the formal register is maintained throughout. The errors present do not impede communication, and the sentence control is consistent.

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.