Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-08-20

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 6.5)

Dear Sir,

I am writing this letter to report an issue with the t-shirt that I have purchased online from your website on the Saturday July 28,2026.

I have purchased the t-shirt of medium size of polo brand which cost me $20 after the discount. I paid the amount with my credit card. Although I got the t-shirt as per commitment within two days of order time but there was issue with the product that I want to bring in your notice.

The color of the item is not exact one that I have ordered, such kind of issue can still be adjustable but there was a button missing and the color of fades away in one wash which was quite surprising for me.

I would like to replace the product and give me the new one as I need to wear it on the special event that has a dress code.

I hope you will take quick action on it.

Yours sincerely,

Shaun

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

You have successfully addressed all three bullet points in the prompt. You provided the purchase details (date, item, cost), described the problems (wrong color, missing button, poor quality), and explained the need for an urgent replacement (a special event). The tone is appropriate for a formal letter of complaint. To reach a higher band, you could provide more specific details, such as an order number or the specific name of the event, to make the request feel more authentic and fully developed.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The letter is logically organized with a clear introduction, body, and conclusion. Each paragraph focuses on a specific aspect of the task. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat basic. Phrases like 'Although I got the t-shirt' and 'such kind of issue' feel a bit mechanical. To improve, try using a wider variety of linking words and transition phrases to connect your ideas more fluidly, such as 'Furthermore,' 'Consequently,' or 'Given these circumstances.'

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

Your vocabulary is adequate for the task, allowing you to communicate your message clearly. You use some relevant terms like 'discount,' 'credit card,' and 'replacement.' However, there are some awkward collocations and word choices, such as 'as per commitment' and 'the color of fades away.' These minor inaccuracies do not impede communication, but they prevent the response from reaching a higher band. Focusing on more natural phrasing for complaints would be beneficial.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

You demonstrate a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is always clear, there are several grammatical errors, such as 'on the Saturday July 28,2026' (incorrect preposition and punctuation), 'bring in your notice' (should be 'to your notice'), and 'the color of fades away' (incorrect verb usage). These errors are frequent enough to be noticeable but do not prevent the reader from understanding your intent. Increasing your control over articles and prepositions will help improve your accuracy.

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

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