Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-11-02

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,

I am writing to express my dissatisfcation with the clothing items which I recently purchased from your online store.

The fact is that I purchased clothes online from the company's website. I ordered two shirts and one pair of trouser. I ordered clothes on 25 october 2026 and ordered number was [redacted phone]. I spent $300 on this purchase. I thought quality and size will be excellent.

The problem is that when I received my parcel and opened it I was shocked because clothes are different from the pictures shown online, poor fabric quality, size was wrong and one of item has a damaged button. Moreover, colour is also different from the advertised product. I want a replacement on priority bases owing to the next week marriage ceremony. I have hectic schedule and I cannot go for shopping in any other store. I will appreciate it, If you arrange express delivery.

I am looking forward to your feedback.

Yours sincerely,

Kirandeep

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 8.0

The letter covers all three required points clearly. You identify the purchase with useful details—two shirts, one pair of trousers, the date, order number and price—and describe several specific faults, including the fabric, sizing, colour and damaged button. You also explain the urgency by mentioning a wedding next week and request express delivery. These details make the purpose and desired outcome clear, and the tone is appropriately formal. To make the request even more complete, specify whether you expect all items to be replaced and whether the company should arrange collection of the faulty clothes. Overall, the task is handled fully, with only a small opportunity to clarify the practical arrangements.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0

The information follows a sensible sequence: purpose, purchase details, problems, urgency and closing. Paragraphing helps distinguish the main stages, and linking expressions such as “Moreover” and “owing to” show how details relate. The reader can follow the complaint without difficulty. Some connections are less smooth because several points are packed into one long sentence: the list of faults after “I was shocked because” would be clearer if divided or structured more carefully. The purchase paragraph also repeats “I ordered” and “clothes,” which makes the progression slightly mechanical. Use more varied referencing, such as “these items,” and keep each paragraph focused on one function to make the organisation more polished.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use an adequate range of vocabulary for a formal complaint, including “dissatisfaction,” “fabric quality,” “advertised product,” “replacement” and “express delivery.” These choices communicate the issue and requested action effectively. There are, however, some spelling and word-choice inaccuracies, such as “dissatisfcation,” “trouser” for the item purchased, and “on priority bases.” “Hectic schedule” is understandable but does not explain the urgency as directly as the wedding does. Aim for accurate, natural collocations and check spelling before submitting. More precise wording for the defects and the requested remedy would improve flexibility and make the letter sound more professional.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

The letter includes both simple statements and more developed structures, for example the sentence beginning “when I received my parcel and opened it” and the explanation introduced by “owing to.” Meaning remains clear, but some grammatical errors occur. In “I thought quality and size will be excellent,” the tense should be consistent, and the nouns need clearer articles or determiners. “One of item has a damaged button” also needs an article and a plural agreement adjustment. The sentence listing the faults is not well controlled, as several items are joined without a clear grammatical structure. Review articles, singular and plural forms, and punctuation, while retaining the range of sentence patterns you attempt.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.