Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-08-30

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 6.0)

Dear Sir or Madam,

Hope you are doing great; I am writing this letter to inform you that I had purchased a jacket from your store on last Sunday and when I went to home, I realized that both the pockets of the jackets were stitched from the makers.

I am wondering that if you allow me to change that jacket since, I bought it for my father and I have to give him gift. My father loves this jacket. But unfortunately, on that day when he wears that he found that issue. So, it my request to give me the permission to change it as I have all the tags, cover and even though bill. I will be very grateful to you as I spend my hard earn money on that.

Thank you very much for attention to this email, please revert me as soon as possible because next week we all are going for a vacation. so, my father wants to wear it.

Himanshu sadioura

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The letter covers all three bullet points: the purchase details, the defect, and the urgency of the replacement. However, the development of these points is somewhat limited. For example, the description of the defect ('stitched from the makers') is slightly unclear, and the explanation for the urgency is repetitive. While the tone is generally appropriate for a formal letter, the structure is a bit informal in places, such as the opening 'Hope you are doing great'. To reach a higher band, you should provide more specific details about the purchase (e.g., order number, date, or specific model) and ensure the tone remains consistently professional throughout.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The letter is organised into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the narrative. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical and occasionally inaccurate. For instance, the transition 'So, it my request' is grammatically awkward and disrupts the flow. The connection between the problem and the request for a replacement is clear, but the progression of ideas could be smoother. Using a wider variety of linking words (e.g., 'consequently', 'furthermore', 'as a result') would improve the logical flow and help the reader navigate the text more effectively.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is adequate for the task, allowing you to convey the main message clearly. You use some relevant terms like 'replacement', 'tags', and 'grateful'. However, there are instances of unnatural word choice and collocation errors, such as 'stitched from the makers' (should be 'sewn shut by the manufacturer') and 'revert me' (which is not standard English for 'reply to me'). To improve, focus on learning common collocations used in business correspondence and avoid translating phrases directly from your native language.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

You demonstrate a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. Examples include 'I had purchased... on last Sunday' (incorrect tense/preposition), 'both the pockets... were stitched' (should be 'sewn'), and 'it my request' (missing verb). Punctuation is also inconsistent, particularly with comma usage. While the meaning is generally understandable, the frequency of these errors prevents a higher score. Focusing on subject-verb agreement and correct verb tenses will significantly improve your accuracy.

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

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