Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-07-27

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 disappointment with a clothing item that I recently purchased from your online store.

Last week, I ordered a **women's black formal blazer**, size Medium, through your website. The order was delivered two days ago, and the order number is **#[redacted phone]**.

Unfortunately, the blazer I received does not match the product description. Instead of the black blazer I ordered, I received a navy-blue one in size Small. In addition, the stitching on one sleeve is loose, making the item unsuitable to wear. As this was my first purchase from your company, I was quite disappointed with the quality and the incorrect item.

I would appreciate it if you could send me the correct blazer as soon as possible. I need it urgently because I have an important job interview next week, and I specifically bought this blazer for that occasion. I would also like to know how I can return the incorrect item at no extra cost.

I look forward to your prompt response and hope this issue can be resolved quickly.

Yours faithfully,

Sam

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5

The response fully addresses all three bullet points of the task. You clearly provided the purchase details (order number and item description), described the specific problems (incorrect color, size, and damaged stitching), and explained the urgency regarding your job interview. The tone is appropriate for a formal letter of complaint, and the purpose is clear throughout. The response is well-structured and covers all requirements of the prompt effectively, demonstrating a clear understanding of the task requirements.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5

The letter is logically organized, with each paragraph serving a distinct purpose. The progression of ideas is smooth, moving from the purchase details to the problem, and finally to the requested solution. You have used cohesive devices effectively, such as 'In addition', 'As this was', and 'I would also like to know', which help guide the reader through the text. Paragraphing is used appropriately, and the overall structure is clear and easy to follow, meeting the criteria for a high band score.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.5

You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey your message with precision. Phrases like 'express my disappointment', 'unsuitable to wear', and 'prompt response' are well-chosen and appropriate for a formal complaint. The vocabulary is natural and fits the context of the task well. There are no significant errors in word choice or collocation, and the language used is sophisticated enough to meet the requirements for a high band score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5

The response demonstrates a good command of grammatical structures. You have successfully used a mix of simple and complex sentences, such as 'I would appreciate it if you could send me the correct blazer as soon as possible.' Punctuation is accurate, and there are no grammatical errors that impede communication. The sentence structures are varied and error-free, which reflects a high level of control over English grammar.

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