Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-10-26

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 7.0)

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing this to explain to you regarding the dissatisfaction I had after purchasing the product from your online store.

I purchased 1 navy blue shirt and 1 pair of formal pants on 20th October, 2026. It showed me I will get delivery within 3 working days and I also received the same. But once I opened the package, I was very surprised to see that the shirt that you sent was a different color than what I had selected, and also the formal pants I ordered were in 'small' size instead of the ' medium ' size you sent. I purchased these items as I have an interview on 30th October, 2026 and I wanted to wear this pair. But looking at the condition of clothes I am very dissatisfied, I selected your store as I reviewed many positive feedbacks from customers.

I need an urgent replacement for this as I want to wear this pair on my interview. Today it is 25th October, and I still have 4 more days left for the same. I will be very grateful if you could first do proper quality check before packing and delivering me these items within next 2 days.

Looking forward for your positive response and I will be waiting for you to send correct items on time.

Thanks and Regards,

Asmeet

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 8.0

The letter covers all three required points clearly: you identify the purchase and date, explain that the shirt colour and trouser size are wrong, and state that an interview on 30 October makes a replacement urgent. The request to deliver the correct items within two days gives the company a practical next step, while the interview explains the urgency. The details are relevant and sufficiently developed for the purpose. To make the response even more complete, specify the colour and size you originally ordered, and briefly say how the company should arrange the return or collection of the incorrect items. Overall, the purpose and requested action are clear throughout.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0

The letter follows a clear progression: it opens with the reason for writing, gives the order details and problems, explains the deadline, and closes with a request. Paragraphing separates the main stages effectively, and linking expressions such as “But once I opened the package” and “Today it is 25th October” help the reader follow the sequence. Some connections are less smooth: the sentence about positive customer feedback interrupts the explanation of the clothing problems, and “this pair” is not fully clear because two items are mentioned. Grouping the purchase details and errors together, then moving directly to the interview deadline and requested remedy, would make the progression more polished.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use an adequate range of vocabulary for a complaint, including “dissatisfaction,” “different color,” “formal pants,” “urgent replacement,” and “quality check.” These choices make the situation and requested action understandable. However, some phrases are awkward or imprecise for a formal letter, such as “explain to you regarding,” “positive feedbacks,” and “looking forward for your positive response.” There is also repetition of “items” and “pair,” and “condition of clothes” does not accurately describe the specific errors, which are a wrong colour and size. More natural collocations and precise terms for the incorrect goods would improve fluency and control while keeping the tone appropriately formal.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

The response includes both simple statements and longer sentences with clauses, for example the sentence beginning “I purchased these items as I have an interview…” This gives some variety, and the message remains clear despite some grammatical errors. There are issues with verb forms and sentence construction in “It showed me I will get delivery” and “the formal pants I ordered were in 'small' size instead of the ' medium ' size you sent,” where the intended meaning is difficult to follow. Other examples include “I am writing this to explain to you regarding” and “I will be waiting for you to send correct items.” Review article use, tense consistency, and clause structure, and punctuate the longer sentences carefully. These changes would make the letter more accurate and natural.

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

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