Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)

Dear Madam,

I am writing to let you know that I bought some clothing online through the company's website and I am not satisfied with the purchase.

I placed an order on 3rd of July through the website and the order came in two weeks later. The receipt number is RE1256J with the total of $200. I made the payment the same day. I paid for two pants, a dress and three shirts.

Let me explain my situation,my order came in with the package already torn. That's when I know there is a problem. The shirt was not the actual shirt I ordered and the pants too. The dress does not fit because is not my size, I ordered for xl but I got L instead.

I need a replacement urgently because this is an ordered I already paid for and I also want to attend a gathering with the outfits. Looking forward to your response.

Thanks for your consideration.

Yours faithfully,

Lynda.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The letter successfully addresses all three bullet points: providing purchase details, describing the specific problems with the items, and explaining the need for an urgent replacement. The tone is appropriate for a formal complaint. However, the development of ideas is somewhat basic. For instance, the explanation of why the replacement is needed is brief. To reach a higher band, you could expand on the consequences of not having the items, such as mentioning the specific date of the gathering to add urgency. Overall, the purpose of the letter is clear and the requirements are fully met.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The letter is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a closing. Each paragraph focuses on a specific aspect of the task. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat limited and occasionally mechanical. For example, the transition 'That's when I know there is a problem' is slightly informal and disjointed. Using more varied linking words or phrases to connect your ideas, such as 'Furthermore' or 'Consequently', would improve the flow and help the reader follow your argument more smoothly.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

You have a sufficient range of vocabulary to communicate your message clearly. You use relevant terms like 'receipt number', 'replacement', and 'outfits'. However, there are some minor inaccuracies and repetitive phrasing, such as 'the shirt was not the actual shirt'. To improve, try to use more precise collocations and avoid repeating the same words in close proximity. Expanding your vocabulary to include more sophisticated descriptors for the damaged goods or the dissatisfaction would enhance the quality of your writing.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The letter contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is always clear, there are several grammatical errors, such as 'I ordered for xl but I got L instead' (incorrect preposition and article usage) and 'this is an ordered I already paid for' (incorrect word form). Punctuation is generally functional, but there are some issues with comma usage and run-on sentences. Increasing your control over complex sentence structures and proofreading for minor errors in verb tense and word forms will help you achieve a higher score.

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

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