Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-09-13

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 or Madam,

I am writing to express my dissatisfaction with recent purchase from your online store. I bought a formal small size shirt, white in colour from your store approximately two weeks ago and its delivered to my address yesterday.

Unfortunately, the colour was faded and despite of checking size guide provided by your store carefully, I have received wrong size. In addition, the quality of clothe is not good, it make unconfortable while wearing it on long time and started itching on my body.

However, I have bought this shirt for attending my business meeting next week. Since, I do not have any replcement option availabe for this occasion, I would like you to arrange a replcement of this shirt with extact size and colour what I have ordered, as soon as possible.

Thank you for your prompt action to this problem. I look forward to receiving replacement product soon.

Yours faithfully,

Axay Nayi.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response successfully covers all three bullet points required by the prompt. First, the student gives specific details of the purchase by stating they bought a formal small-size, white shirt approximately two weeks ago, which was delivered yesterday. Second, the problem is clearly described, noting that the colour was faded, the size was wrong despite checking the guide, and the clothing quality caused discomfort and itching. Third, the urgency of needing a replacement is well explained because the shirt is required for an upcoming business meeting next week and no other options are available. The tone is appropriate for a formal complaint letter. All parts of the task are adequately addressed, earning a solid band 7.0 score.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The letter exhibits a clear overall logical organisation and progression. The student uses appropriate paragraphing to separate the introduction, the problem description, the explanation of urgency, and the closing remarks. Cohesive devices are generally used effectively, such as 'Unfortunately', 'In addition', and 'However', which help guide the reader through the letter. Although referencing is mostly clear, a minor issue appears in the transition 'Since, I do not have any replcement option', where the comma usage is slightly unnatural. Nevertheless, the progression of ideas is logical throughout, matching the requirements for a band 6.5 or 7.0. Given the successful paragraphing and logical flow, a band 7.0 is well-deserved.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary suitable for a formal complaint letter, using phrases like 'express my dissatisfaction', 'formal small size shirt', and 'prompt action'. However, there are some noticeable spelling and word choice errors, such as 'its delivered' instead of 'it was delivered', 'clothe' instead of 'clothing', 'unconfortable', and 'replcement' (misspelled multiple times). Additionally, 'extact size' contains a typo for 'exact'. While these errors do not impede communication, they prevent the lexical score from reaching higher bands. The vocabulary is minimally adequate to convey the message clearly, aligning well with the band 6.0 descriptors.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The student attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as conditional and causal clauses ('despite of checking size guide...', 'Since, I do not have any replcement option...'). However, there are several grammatical and mechanical errors throughout the text. For instance, 'recent purchase' lacks a determiner ('a recent purchase'), 'despite of' is incorrect (should be 'despite checking' or 'in spite of checking'), and 'it make unconfortable' contains tense and grammatical inaccuracies. Punctuation errors, such as unnecessary commas after 'Since,' and 'Unfortunately', also occur. These errors occasionally disrupt the flow, but communication is never impeded. This performance fits comfortably within the band 6.0 criteria.

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

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