Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-08-01

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/Madam,

I am writing to express my dissatisfaction regarding the clothing I recently purchased from your online store. I hope you will look into this matter and arrange a replacement as soon as possible.

Last Friday, I ordered a black leather jacket (order no [redacted phone]) from your website for 120 dollars.

It was supposed to be made of genuine leather and delivered within three business days. However, when I received the package yesterday, I was very disappointed because the jacket was the wrong size, and the material was poor quality. Moreover, there was also a hole in one sleeves, which making it impossible to wear.

I urgently require a replacement because I have an important family function to attend this weekend, And I specially purchased this jacket for the occasion. As there is very little time left, I would really appreciate it if you could send the correct item through express delivery.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

I look forward to your prompt response.

Yours faithfully,

Vishal Goyal

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5

The response successfully addresses all three bullet points of the prompt. You clearly provided the purchase details, including the order number and price. The problem with the jacket is described in sufficient detail, and the reason for the urgent replacement is logically explained. The tone is appropriate for a formal letter of complaint, and the purpose of the communication is clear from the outset. The response is well-focused and meets all the requirements of the task effectively.

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 statement of the problem to the specific details and finally the request for action. Cohesive devices such as 'However', 'Moreover', and 'As' are used effectively to link sentences and ideas. The paragraphing is appropriate for a formal letter, and the overall structure is easy to follow, ensuring that the reader understands the sequence of events and the desired outcome without confusion.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for a formal complaint, such as 'dissatisfaction', 'genuine', and 'prompt response'. While the vocabulary is generally accurate, there are minor issues with collocation, such as 'in one sleeves' (should be 'in one sleeve'). The word choice is sufficient to convey your meaning clearly and professionally. To reach a higher band, you could incorporate more precise adjectives or sophisticated collocations to describe the quality of the product or your frustration.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures with generally good control. However, there are a few grammatical slips, such as 'which making it' (should be 'which makes it' or 'making it') and the unnecessary capitalization of 'And' in the middle of a sentence. Despite these minor errors, the meaning is never obscured, and the majority of your sentences are error-free. The use of punctuation is generally correct, and the formal tone is maintained throughout the letter.

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