Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-08-05

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 6.0)

Dear Sir,

I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to mention my complaint about the dress that I ordered online from your store.

Last week, when you offered Flat 50% discount on your products during Independence Day promotion I ordered a dress article number is PRT4582. It is blue color three piece dress.

When I recieved my parcel I was so depressed because size was not that I mentioned in my order. I clearly placed an order for "Medium sized" article but what I recieved is "Small sized" that was heartbreaking moment for me. Additionally, the fabric was so dull and the color was not the same as displayed on your website.

I want an replacement of this article as soon as possible because I have to wear it on the occassion of my birthday party that will be celebrating on coming Saturday. I bought it especially for this event.

I appreciate if you take a prompt action on my request and replace my order as soon as possible.

Thank you

Yours sincerely

XYZ

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The letter successfully addresses all three bullet points: providing purchase details, describing the issue, and explaining the urgency. The tone is appropriate for a formal complaint letter. The ideas are relevant and clearly communicated, ensuring the reader understands the nature of the problem and the desired outcome. To reach a higher band, the student could provide more specific details, such as the order date or a reference number, to make the complaint more professional and realistic. Overall, the response is well-structured and fulfills the requirements of the task effectively.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The letter is logically organized, with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a closing. Each paragraph focuses on a specific aspect of the task, which helps the reader follow the narrative. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat basic. Transitions between sentences could be smoother; for instance, the transition between the description of the order and the problem could be improved with better linking words. While the paragraphing is sufficient, more sophisticated use of cohesive devices would elevate the flow of the letter.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, allowing the student to convey their message clearly. There are some instances of slightly unnatural phrasing, such as 'depressed' to describe a consumer issue (which is too strong/emotional) and 'article number is'. Using more precise business-related vocabulary would improve the quality. For example, instead of 'depressed', words like 'disappointed' or 'dissatisfied' would be more appropriate in a formal context. Spelling is generally accurate, though there are minor slips like 'recieved' (received) and 'occassion' (occasion).

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The student demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is always clear, there are several grammatical errors, such as missing articles ('the size', 'the color') and minor punctuation issues. For example, 'I appreciate if you take' should be 'I would appreciate it if you took'. Despite these errors, the grammar does not impede communication. To improve, the student should focus on article usage and consistent verb tense agreement, particularly when discussing past events and future requirements.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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