Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-08-15

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 7.5)

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am writing to express my dissatisfaction with a clothing item that I recently purchased from your website.

I purchased a cotton dress from your website one week ago. It was a lovely shade of pink with a printed dupatta in a medium size. Moreover, the price of the product was Rs. 1,500, and my order number is 5432.

Unfortunately, when the package arrived, I noticed that both the size and color of the dress were different from those I had selected. The dress was in a shade of red instead of pink, and the size was also incorrect. As a result, I am unable to wear the outfit because it does not fit me and the color is unsuitable.

I need the replacement urgently because I have to wear it next week for a family function. I specifically purchased this outfit for that occasion. I would therefore appreciate it if you could arrange an exchange and deliver the correct item within the next few days.

I look forward to your prompt response and assistance.

Yours faithfully,

Divya Mistry

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all three bullet points of the task. You provided clear details of the purchase, including the order number and price. The problem with the dress (incorrect color and size) is clearly described, and the urgency of the replacement is well-justified by the mention of a family function. The tone is appropriate for a formal letter of complaint, and the purpose is clear from the outset. All requirements of the prompt have been met effectively, and the ideas are developed logically to support the request for an exchange.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The letter is well-organized with a logical progression of ideas. Each paragraph serves a distinct purpose: the introduction states the purpose, the body paragraphs detail the issue and the urgency, and the conclusion provides a clear call to action. Cohesive devices such as 'Moreover', 'Unfortunately', 'As a result', and 'therefore' are used effectively to link sentences and ideas. The paragraphing is appropriate for a formal letter, and the flow of information is smooth and easy to follow throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey your message clearly and accurately. Words like 'dissatisfaction', 'unsuitable', and 'prompt' are appropriate for the formal register required in this task. While the vocabulary is functional and accurate, it is generally standard. To reach a higher band, you could incorporate more precise collocations or slightly more sophisticated descriptive language regarding the clothing or the nature of the error. However, the current range is more than adequate for the task and there are no errors in word choice.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The grammar is accurate throughout the response. You have successfully used a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as 'I am writing to express my dissatisfaction...' and 'I would therefore appreciate it if you could arrange an exchange...'. Punctuation is used correctly, and there are no noticeable grammatical errors. The control over complex structures is good, and the majority of sentences are error-free. The writing is clear, professional, and demonstrates a high level of grammatical competence suitable for this task.

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

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