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,

Subject: Requesting solution due to dissatisfaction of product' quality.

I am writing to inform you an issue regarding your company's product. Recenty, I bought a T-shirt through your online website last monday. I purchased it for $150, where you marked it as a fresh stock. I was very happy to ordered the t-shirt that I like too much. But when I opend the packaging and tried it on, I got a cut on it just below the left shoulder. I am feeling very sad because I have to wear it by an event which is going to be on next tuesday.

In addition, I would like to request you that please provide me with a new t shirt of the same desgin and size as solution. So I can wear it to the event. I will be really thankful to you for your this assistance.

I am looking forward to recieve a positive response. Thank you so much.

Yours faithfully,

Sukhbir.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response covers all three bullet points required in the prompt successfully. The student gives details of the purchase by stating the item was a T-shirt bought online last Monday for $150. The problem is clearly described, noting a cut just below the left shoulder upon opening the package. Furthermore, the need for an urgent replacement is explained by mentioning an upcoming event next Tuesday. Although there are minor unnatural phrasing choices in the opening subject line and opening sentences, the purpose of the letter is fully communicated, and all parts of the task are well addressed. This aligns well with the requirements for a Band 6.5 or 7.0, and considering the complete coverage of all prompt requirements, a Band 6.5 is appropriate.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The letter follows a logical structure appropriate for formal correspondence, starting with a standard salutation, followed by the main points organised sequentially across paragraphs, and concluding with a sign-off. Cohesive devices such as 'In addition' and 'So I can wear it' are used to connect ideas, though referencing and transitions are at times a bit mechanical. Paragraphing is used adequately to separate the introduction, the problem description, the request for a replacement, and the conclusion. However, cohesion overall is occasionally faulty, such as in the abrupt transition within the second paragraph. These features are characteristic of a Band 6 performance.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The student uses an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, successfully communicating details such as 'fresh stock', 'packaging', and 'replacement'. However, there are noticeable lexical errors and awkward collocations throughout the text, including 'dissatisfaction of product' quality' instead of 'product quality', 'Recenty' (spelling error), 'fresh stock' used inappropriately for a T-shirt, and 'happy to ordered'. Despite these inaccuracies, the vocabulary is sufficient to convey the intended meaning without impeding communication, fitting the Band 6 descriptor well.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The writer attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, such as 'I was very happy to ordered the t-shirt that I like too much' and 'I am feeling very sad because I have to wear it by an event which is going to be on next tuesday.' Grammatical errors are present, including verb tense and form mistakes ('to ordered', 'opendi', 'recieve'), capitalization errors ('tuesday'), and preposition misuse ('wear it by an event' instead of 'wear it to an event'). These errors rarely impede overall communication, but they occur frequently enough to prevent the writing from reaching a Band 7, placing it firmly at Band 6.

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

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