Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-07-28
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,
I am writing to inform you that recently I bought a new coat from your store through online website amazon.
Firstly, I am dissatisfied with this purchase because the colour that I choose in the website and that I received was totally different. I bought red colour coat and the brand name is coach. However, the cost was 1000 dollars and I received my delivery yesterday around 2:00 PM. I was so excited when I collected this coat because this is my dream coat and I spend my first salary to bought this amazing cloth.
Furthermore, as I already mentioned the colour was totally different. I ordered red colour coat, but I gotten pink colour. Apart from that, on the right side arm the leather is damaged and the size is also different.
Additionally, next week it’s my birthday and I ordered this coat to make my birthday special, but this delivery spoiled my mood. I would really appreciate it, if you provide me urgent replacement, so that I can spend my birthday with same joy and happiness that I had before. I hope you understand my situation.
Looking forward to hearing from you soon.
Yours sincerely,
Sargundeep
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 6.5 |
| Overall | 7.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5
The response covers all three bullet points required by the task. You clearly identified the purchase details, described the multiple issues with the coat (colour, damage, and size), and explained the urgency regarding your birthday. The tone is appropriate for a formal letter of complaint. To reach a higher band, you could provide more specific details, such as an order number or a clear request for a specific resolution (e.g., a refund or an expedited exchange), rather than just asking for a replacement. Overall, the message is clear and the purpose of the letter is fully achieved.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0
The letter is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a closing. You use transition words like 'Firstly', 'Furthermore', and 'Additionally' to guide the reader through your points. However, some of these transitions feel slightly mechanical. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the progression of ideas is easy to follow. To improve, try to vary your cohesive devices and ensure that the flow between sentences is more natural. For instance, instead of starting every paragraph with a transition word, you could use referencing or synonyms to link ideas more fluidly.
Lexical Resource — Band 6.5
You have an adequate range of vocabulary to convey your message effectively. You use words like 'dissatisfied', 'replacement', and 'delivery' correctly. However, there are some inaccuracies in word choice and collocation, such as 'colour that I choose in the website' (should be 'chose on the website') and 'spend my first salary to bought' (should be 'spent my first salary to buy'). There is also a tendency to repeat simple words. Expanding your vocabulary to include more precise terms related to retail and complaints would help elevate your score.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5
The letter contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is always clear, there are several grammatical errors that occur throughout the text. Examples include 'I gotten pink colour' (should be 'I received a pink one'), 'the colour that I choose' (tense error), and 'to bought' (infinitive error). Punctuation is generally fine, but there are minor issues with article usage (e.g., 'the colour' vs 'a colour'). To improve, focus on verb tense consistency and ensuring that your infinitive forms and past participles are used correctly.
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