Band 9.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 9.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-08-10

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 9.0)

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing to request an urgent replacement for an item of clothing that I recently purchased from your online store.

On 6 August, I ordered a navy-blue formal blazer, size medium, under order number [redacted phone]. The item was delivered to me three days later. Unfortunately, although the package itself was undamaged, I found that the blazer had a noticeable tear near the left sleeve and one of the front buttons was missing. In addition, the size label stated medium, but the blazer was considerably smaller than expected and did not fit properly.

I would therefore appreciate it if you could send me a replacement in the correct size as soon as possible. I need the blazer urgently because I am due to attend an important company event next week, where formal business attire is required. I purchased this particular item specifically for that occasion, so receiving a replacement before the event is extremely important to me.

Please let me know whether you require photographs of the damaged item or if I should return it before a replacement can be dispatched.

I look forward to your prompt response.

Yours faithfully,

Sam

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 9.0

The response fully addresses all parts of the task. You have clearly provided the purchase details, including the order number and date, described the specific defects (tear and missing button), and explained the urgency of the situation by mentioning the upcoming company event. The tone is consistently formal and appropriate for a complaint letter. The ideas are well-developed and the purpose of the letter is clear from the opening sentence. You have successfully met all requirements of the prompt.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 9.0

The letter is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph serves a distinct purpose: the introduction states the purpose, the second paragraph details the issues, the third explains the urgency, and the final paragraph addresses the next steps. Cohesive devices such as 'In addition', 'therefore', and 'specifically' are used effectively to link sentences and ideas. The paragraphing is appropriate and contributes to the overall clarity of the message.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.5

You demonstrate a wide and natural range of vocabulary appropriate for a formal business context. Phrases such as 'noticeable tear', 'considerably smaller than expected', and 'prompt response' are used accurately and effectively. The language is precise and conveys the necessary information without ambiguity. There are no errors in word choice or collocation, and the vocabulary is well-suited to the task of making a formal complaint.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5

The writing exhibits a high level of grammatical control. You have used a variety of complex sentence structures, such as 'I would therefore appreciate it if you could send me a replacement...' and 'I need the blazer urgently because I am due to attend...'. The punctuation is accurate throughout, and there are no noticeable grammatical errors. The majority of sentences are error-free, and the overall flow is smooth and professional.

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

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