Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-10-25

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 dissatifaction with my recent purchase from your online store.

I ordered a medium size blazer which color was blue on 15th October, 2026. My order number was 1234. This clothing item was bought from online sale through your shopping website.

I was extremely pleased to be delivered it on time. However, after opening the box, I was surprised which I received. Unfortunately, the blazer was in completely different color and size. This shade does not match with my formal outfit. Moreover, I noticed a big coffee strain on front side of it which is clearly visible.

For this reason, I would like to exchange my current purchase with new one, as I purchased for my upcoming workshop where the dress code is blue and professional. I would appreciate if you could replace my order as soon as possible.

I look forward to hearing from your side as earliest your convenience.

Your faithfully,

Raj Patel

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.5

The letter clearly addresses all three requirements: you identify the purchase with the item, colour, size, date and order number; explain that the blazer arrived in the wrong colour and size and has a coffee stain; and request a prompt replacement because of your upcoming workshop and its dress code. The purpose and desired outcome remain clear throughout, and the details make the complaint credible. To make the response more fully developed, specify the colour and size actually received and give a concrete deadline or date by which you need the replacement. You could also state whether you expect the company to arrange collection of the faulty blazer. These additions would make the requested remedy more precise.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0

The letter has a clear progression from the purchase details, to the defects, and then to the requested exchange and reason for urgency. Paragraphing supports this sequence, and transitions such as “However,” “Unfortunately,” and “Moreover” help connect the complaint details. The closing also signals that you expect a response. Some links are less smooth because the sentence “I was extremely pleased to be delivered it on time” does not clearly connect the delivery with the problem that follows, and “For this reason” refers broadly to several issues. Improve cohesion by making each sentence’s reference explicit and using a more direct transition into the replacement request. The overall organisation is clear, though a few connections feel awkward.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use an adequate range of vocabulary for a formal complaint, including “dissatisfaction,” “purchase,” “exchange,” “dress code,” and “replace.” These choices communicate the situation and requested action, while “clearly visible” helps describe the stain. However, some spelling, word-form and collocation choices reduce naturalness: “dissatifaction” is misspelled, “coffee strain” is not the intended noun, and “from your side” is an unnatural expression in this context. “This clothing item was bought from online sale” is also imprecise. Aim for conventional complaint-letter phrasing and check spelling carefully. More precise language for the garment’s condition and the urgency would make the vocabulary more flexible and professional.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

You use a mix of simple sentences and more complex forms, including the relative clause in “where the dress code is blue and professional” and the conditional-style request “I would appreciate if you could replace my order.” The main message remains understandable, but some grammatical errors affect accuracy and naturalness. For example, “a medium size blazer which color was blue” needs a clearer relative construction, while “I was surprised which I received” does not form a correct clause. The passive construction in “I was extremely pleased to be delivered it” is also faulty, and “as earliest your convenience” has an incorrect grammatical pattern. Practise relative clauses, passive forms and standard request structures, then proofread articles and prepositions.

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