Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-08-24

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 or Madam,

I am writing to express my dissatisfaction with the purchase of a clothing item from your website. I purchased a blue denim A-shaped dress with balloon sleeves from your website last Sunday. The item was on sale with a 15% additional discount for members. I ordered a medium size immediately as it caught my eye at first glance. Impressively, it was delivered within a few business days to my given address as I paid the fast shipping cost.

I unboxed the item with full excitement. However, it did not last long when I found some damage. I received the same dress but a different color. At first, I was unsure whether to keep it, but I dismissed the idea. However, when I looked closely, I found that the sleeve had a noticeable hole and the hem seam was coming off. The dress was stitched poorly. I felt disappointed as I am planning to wear it to my friend's birthday party next month.

I would therefore appreciate it if you could arrange a replacement before Sunday, if possible, by making all the adjustments to the delivery fee as well, so I can wear it to my friend's birthday party. I could have placed an order for another dress but the theme of the party is blue and denim. I am your loyal customer and always like the fit and comfort the brand provides.

Thank you for your consideration on this matter. Looking forward to a prompt and positive response.

Yours faithfully,

Navjot

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

You have successfully addressed all three bullet points in the prompt. You provided clear details regarding the purchase, described the specific defects (the hole and the hem), and explained the urgency of the replacement due to the upcoming birthday party. The tone is appropriate for a formal letter of complaint, and the purpose is clear from the outset. The ideas are well-developed and relevant to the task requirements. You have maintained a consistent focus throughout the letter, ensuring the reader understands both the problem and the desired resolution.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The letter is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph serves a distinct purpose: the first introduces the purchase, the second details the issues, and the third outlines the request for a replacement. You have used cohesive devices such as 'However', 'At first', and 'Therefore' effectively to link your sentences. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the flow of information is smooth, making the letter easy to follow. The transition between the description of the damage and the request for a replacement is handled naturally.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for a formal complaint. Phrases like 'express my dissatisfaction', 'prompt and positive response', and 'loyal customer' are well-chosen. You successfully use specific terms related to clothing, such as 'hem seam' and 'balloon sleeves'. While the vocabulary is generally accurate and natural, there is room to incorporate more sophisticated or idiomatic collocations to reach the highest band. Overall, the lexical range is sufficient to convey your message with precision and clarity, and there are no significant errors in word choice.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

Your grammar is generally strong, with a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. You demonstrate control over various tenses, such as the past simple for the purchase and the present perfect for the current situation. There are very few errors, and those that exist do not impede communication. For example, 'Thank you for your consideration on this matter' is slightly less common than 'consideration of', but this is a minor point. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your punctuation is used correctly to support the clarity of your writing.

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.