Band 4.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 4.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-11-05

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 4.0)

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing this email to explain about my recent purchase from your Toronto Zara store which was a black gym bag with three split compartments and i bought it for 350$ and my recipt number is [redacted phone].

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 2.5

The opening identifies a purchase and gives some useful details: a black gym bag, its three compartments, the price, and a receipt number. However, the response does not describe what is wrong with the item or explain why a replacement is urgent, so two key bullet points are entirely unaddressed. It also stops after one sentence and does not make a clear request to the company. The required minimum length is not met, which leaves the letter far too incomplete to fulfil its purpose. To improve, explain the defect, state when and why you need a replacement, and clearly request the action you want the company to take.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.5

The response has a recognisable opening and the purchase details are presented in a single sentence, so the reader can identify the general topic. However, there is no progression beyond the purchase information: the problem, urgency, and requested solution are not developed, and there is no closing. The sentence also strings several details together with “which” and “and,” making the information feel crowded rather than clearly organised. In a complete letter, use separate paragraphs for the purchase and problem, then the urgency and requested replacement. Linking phrases such as “Unfortunately” and “As I need the bag for…” would help guide the reader through the purpose of the message.

Lexical Resource: Band 4.5

The vocabulary is sufficient to identify the item and basic transaction details, including “black gym bag,” “three split compartments,” and “receipt number.” However, the range is very narrow because the response ends before it describes the defect or the requested remedy. Some wording is also imprecise for a formal complaint: “explain about my recent purchase” is less natural than “write regarding my recent purchase,” and “split compartments” may not clearly describe the bag’s design. Use precise terms for the fault, such as “the zip is broken” or “one compartment is torn,” and for the remedy, such as “replacement” or “exchange.” Check spelling and conventional forms, including “receipt” and “$350.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5

The response communicates its basic meaning through a simple sentence, but it shows little grammatical range and combines several clauses into one long structure. In “which was a black gym bag … and i bought it,” the relative clause and the following clause are joined awkwardly; splitting this into two sentences would make the relationships clearer. The pronoun “i” should be capitalised, and the sentence needs more controlled punctuation. The opening phrase “I am writing this email to explain about…” also uses an unnecessary preposition after “explain.” Aim to use a mix of accurate simple and complex sentences, for example: “I ordered a black gym bag with three compartments. Unfortunately, it arrived with a broken zip.”

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

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