Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · 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 8.0)

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am a frequent buyer of your brand " Dynamite". I really love your clothing collection. However, today I am writing this letter to complain about my recent online purchase for your summer collection 2026. I placed this online order G2333HR on 9th, July 2026 Monday at 1225pm for a red midi dress, which was looking fabulous in the pictures displayed on your website and I paid $200 for this attire.

I received my online order yesterday evening, and I was disheartened the moment I looked at the quality of the fabric I received for $200. It is made up of 100% polyester, which is extremely uncomfortable material. I tried it for the first time and it caused rashes on my entire skin.

This is highly disappointing for me as I was planning to wear this dress on my wedding anniversary. I kindly request you to refund me the full amount paid for this order and make arrangements to return this order at your own cost at your earliest convenience..

Thanks for your support and assistance.

Kind regards,

Pooja Mehra

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5

The letter successfully addresses all three bullet points: providing purchase details (order number, date, item), describing the problem (poor fabric quality causing skin irritation), and explaining the need for a replacement/refund for a specific event. The tone is appropriate for a formal complaint. The ideas are well-developed and the purpose of the letter is clear from the outset. The student maintains a consistent focus on the task requirements throughout the response, ensuring the reader understands the situation and the desired outcome effectively.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5

The letter is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a closing. Each paragraph focuses on a specific aspect of the prompt, which aids readability. Cohesive devices such as 'However', 'This is highly disappointing', and 'as I was planning' are used effectively to link ideas. The progression of information is smooth, moving from the purchase details to the specific issue and finally the requested resolution. The paragraphing is sufficient and appropriate for a formal letter, ensuring the structure remains clear and professional throughout.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

The vocabulary is sufficient and appropriate for the context of a formal complaint. Phrases like 'frequent buyer', 'disheartened', and 'at your earliest convenience' demonstrate a good command of language. There are no significant errors in word choice that impede communication. While the range is adequate, it could be further enhanced by incorporating more sophisticated collocations or less common vocabulary to reach the highest band. However, the current usage is precise and fits the formal tone required for this task perfectly.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The response displays a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. Most sentences are error-free, and the grammar is generally accurate. There are minor punctuation issues, such as the double period at the end of the third paragraph and the slightly awkward phrasing in 'my recent online purchase for your summer collection'. However, these are minor slips that do not interfere with the overall clarity of the message. The control over tense and subject-verb agreement is consistent, contributing to a professional and coherent piece of writing.

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