Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-09-14

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,

I am writing this letter to express my disappointment regarding my recent purchase on your digital shopping website.

I recently bought a traditional dress tailored by Radha Boutique. According to the size chart displayed on the website, I purchased size M. Unfortunately, when I tried the dress, I found it to large than my actual size.

The product material is also not the same as described on the website and I am not satisfied with the fabric. The clothing feels uncomfortable to wear because of excessive heavy stones and work on it.

I would like you to replace the dress to the correct size as soon as possible because I am in need of dress by this week.

I hope you take my point into consideration and solve my issue as per your earliest convience.

Yours faithfully

Anjali

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The student covers all parts of the bullet points required in the prompt: details of the purchase are provided (Radha Boutique traditional dress, size M), the problem is clearly described (wrong size and unexpected fabric quality due to heavy stones), and an explanation for an urgent replacement is given (needed by this week). However, there is a minor negative impact on Task Achievement because the response falls short of the 150-word minimum, containing only 142 words. Despite this shortfall, the communication of the message is clear, and the tone is appropriate for a formal complaint letter. The requirements are addressed adequately, but the word count penalty prevents a higher score.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The letter maintains a coherent overall arrangement with a logical flow of ideas, moving from the introduction of the purchase to the specific problems and finally to the requested resolution. Paragraphing is used appropriately, with distinct paragraphs for the introduction, purchase details, problem description, urgency explanation, and the closing. Cohesive devices are used reasonably well, such as 'Unfortunately' and 'because', though referencing is occasionally basic. Progression is logical throughout, and the letter opens with the required 'Dear Sir or Madam' and closes with an appropriate sign-off. Overall, the organizational structure meets the criteria for Band 6.5.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, attempting some less common phrases such as 'express my disappointment' and 'take my point into consideration'. However, there are a few noticeable vocabulary and word-choice errors, such as 'digital shopping website' instead of 'online shopping website', writing 'it to large' instead of 'it too large', and mentioning 'excessive heavy stones'. Spelling is generally accurate, but these errors in collocation and preposition usage restrict the score. The vocabulary is minimally sufficient to convey the intended message without impeding communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The writer uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, such as 'According to the size chart displayed on the website, I purchased size M.' There are several grammatical errors present, most notably 'found it to large' (spelling/modifier error) and 'replace the dress to the correct size' (preposition error), as well as 'earliest convience' (spelling error). Punctuation is generally acceptable, and while these errors are noticeable, they rarely impede communication. The control of grammar corresponds well to the Band 6 descriptor, showing a mixture of correct and faulty structures.

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

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