Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-11-13

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

You work at home and have a problem with a piece of equipment that you use for your job.

Write a letter to the shop or company which supplied the equipment. In your letter

• describe the problem with the equipment
• explain how this problem is affecting your work
• say what you want the shop or company to do

You do NOT need to write any addresses.

Begin your letter as follows:

Dear Sir or Madam,

Student answer (Band 6.5)

Dear madam,

I am writing to complain about a problem with the computer that I purchased from your shop last month. Unfortunately, the computer is not working properly. It often switches off automatically, and sometimes the screen becomes black, while I am working. I have tried restarting it several times, but the problem still continues. I work from home and use the computer for my office tasks. Because of this problem I Cannot complete my work. I Sometimes lose important files which cause difficulties for me and my company. I Would like to repair the computer as soon as possible. However, if it cannot be repaired, I would prefer a replacement. I Would appreciate if it you could solve this problem quickly.

I look forward to your positive response.

Yours obediently

Fatima Ayub.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

You address all three required points: the computer switches off and the screen goes black, this disrupts your home-based office work and risks file loss, and you request a repair or replacement. These details make the purpose clear and show the relevant content expected in a complaint letter. The impact on your work is less fully developed than the description of the fault; for example, you could explain missed deadlines or how lost files affect specific tasks. The request is also clear, but could specify a preferred next step, such as arranging collection or explaining the warranty process. The response is 17 words below the required minimum, so it needs further relevant detail to meet the task fully.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0

The letter follows a logical order: it introduces the complaint, describes the fault, explains its effect, and states the requested solution. Linking phrases such as “Unfortunately,” “Because of this problem,” and “However” help the reader follow the progression. The closing is also appropriately placed. However, the main content is presented as one dense paragraph, so separating the problem, its impact, and the requested action into paragraphs would make the organisation easier to scan. Some links between ideas are quite direct; adding a sentence that connects the lost files to a concrete work consequence would improve the flow and development. Overall, the sequence is clear, with room for more flexible cohesion and paragraphing.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use adequate vocabulary for the purpose, including “switches off automatically,” “screen becomes black,” “important files,” “repair,” and “replacement.” These choices communicate the problem and your request clearly. There is some repetition of general terms such as “problem” and “work,” and a few phrases are not fully natural: “the problem still continues” is redundant, while “positive response” is less specific than the action you need. More precise complaint-letter vocabulary would help you express the fault and its consequences with greater flexibility. Also check capitalisation within sentences: “Cannot,” “Sometimes,” and “Would” should not begin with capitals there; this is a mechanics issue rather than a vocabulary error.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

The response includes a useful mix of simple and more complex sentence forms. For example, “It often switches off automatically, and sometimes the screen becomes black, while I am working” combines related details, and “if it cannot be repaired” uses a conditional clause appropriately. Meaning remains clear throughout. Some grammatical and punctuation errors remain, however. In “I Would appreciate if it you could solve this problem,” the clause is malformed; write “I would appreciate it if you could solve this problem.” The capital letters in “Cannot,” “Sometimes,” and “Would” are also incorrect within sentences. The phrase “I would like to repair the computer” suggests that you will do the repair; “I would like you to repair it” makes the intended meaning clear. More accurate control of these patterns would strengthen the letter.

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