Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-09-01

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/Madam,

I am writing this letter to express sincerely Disappointment about a dress purchased through your online app.

On the last Sunday, 23rd of August I ordered (order number #Ajh236) a decent long dress of baby pink colour, while placing an order I was astonished by the beauty of the embroidery, pearls and design so immediately I placed an order without thinking of price which cost me $250.

Unfortunately, I received a different dress which totally opposite to the specifications that were advertised on your website. Although the delivery service was accurate, but the received damaged package with wrong item, even wrong colour and size,

As I want this dress for my cousin brothers marriage held on next weekend so I would like to request you for replacement of this wrong product with the exact stuff that I ordered or full refund. For your reference I attached all the receipt and pictures.

Looking forward for best and appropriate solution.

Regards,

Amandeep Kaur

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 (order number, price, item description), clearly described the problem (wrong item, damaged package, incorrect size/colour), and explained the urgency regarding your cousin's wedding. The tone is appropriate for a formal complaint letter. To improve, ensure that you fully develop your ideas; for instance, you could have briefly mentioned the specific steps you would like the company to take beyond just a replacement or refund, such as requesting a prepaid return label. Overall, the task requirements are well-met.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The letter follows a logical structure with clear paragraphing. Each paragraph focuses on a specific aspect of the task, which helps the reader follow your argument. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical. For example, the transition 'Although the delivery service was accurate, but the received damaged package...' is grammatically incorrect and uses redundant conjunctions. Using more varied linking words such as 'furthermore', 'consequently', or 'nevertheless' would improve the flow. Additionally, ensure that referencing is consistent throughout the text to maintain a smoother progression of ideas.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You have a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey your message clearly, such as 'specifications', 'embroidery', and 'appropriate'. However, there are several instances of awkward word choice and minor errors, such as 'express sincerely Disappointment' (should be 'sincere disappointment') and 'cousin brothers marriage' (should be 'cousin's brother's wedding'). Some phrasing is slightly unnatural, such as 'without thinking of price'. To reach a higher band, focus on more precise collocations and ensure that your word forms are accurate. Your vocabulary is adequate for the task but lacks the flexibility required for higher bands.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

You demonstrate a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. However, there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede the flow of reading. For example, 'On the last Sunday' should be 'Last Sunday', and 'the received damaged package' is missing a subject or verb. The sentence 'Although the delivery service was accurate, but the received damaged package...' contains a double conjunction error. While your meaning is generally clear, these persistent errors in basic sentence construction and punctuation prevent a higher score. Focusing on subject-verb agreement and correct sentence structure will significantly improve your accuracy.

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

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