Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-04

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

Student answer (Band 8.0)

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing to complain about a sofa that I purchased from your store last week. Unfortunately, I am not satisfied with the quality of the product and would like to request a replacement.

I bought a three-seat grey sofa from your store on August 28. At the time of purchase, the sofa appeared to be in excellent condition, and I was particularly impressed by its comfortable design. However, after it was delivered to my home, I noticed that one of the legs was damaged and the fabric on one side was slightly torn.

As the sofa is still under warranty and has only been used for a few days, I would appreciate it if you could arrange for a replacement as soon as possible. If a replacement is not available, I would be happy to receive a full refund.

I have attached a copy of my receipt and photographs showing the damage. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Yours faithfully,

Darshan Patel

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response fully addresses all requirements of the task. You have clearly stated the purpose of your letter, provided necessary details regarding the purchase (the date and the item), described the specific problems with the sofa, and clearly outlined the desired outcome (a replacement or refund). The tone is consistently appropriate for a formal letter of complaint. All parts of the prompt are covered well, and the information is presented in a logical and professional manner, making the communication highly effective.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The letter is well-structured with a clear logical progression. You have used appropriate paragraphing to separate the introduction, the description of the issue, the proposed solution, and the closing. Cohesive devices such as 'However', 'At the time of purchase', and 'As the sofa is still under warranty' are used effectively to link ideas and guide the reader through the narrative. The flow is smooth, and the referencing is clear throughout the text, ensuring that the reader can easily follow your argument.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for a formal complaint. Phrases such as 'not satisfied with the quality', 'particularly impressed', and 'arrange for a replacement' are used accurately. The language is natural and fits the context of the task well. While the vocabulary is functional and precise, it remains within the standard range. To reach a higher band, you could incorporate slightly more sophisticated collocations or nuanced adjectives to describe the damage or your dissatisfaction, but the current level is more than sufficient for clear communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The writing is highly accurate with a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. You have used complex sentences effectively, such as 'If a replacement is not available, I would be happy to receive a full refund.' Punctuation is used correctly throughout, and there are no noticeable grammatical errors. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and the control over verb tenses and modal verbs is consistent. The grammar supports the clarity of your message perfectly.

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

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