Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-11-14

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 5.5)

Dear Mr. Smith,

I am writing this letter to inform you that I have a problem with the equipment that your guys delivered here in my house the keyboard and mouse are malfunctioning and its affecting my work schedules.

I am using it in a total of two days since the delivery, then suddenly the keyboard started to malfunction I cannnot press the button O and Enter, also the mouse I cant press the right click because of this I cannot finish the task I have been given,that could delay my projects and future clients. For instance, this could cause me my job ,right now there are of project thats need to be finish and clients in need of results.

I would like to request of changing the equipment or do me a full refund for this, so I can continue my work progressively, because i cannot work properly on this equipment.

I am hoping that you will handle this promptly in consideration to my favor, if you need anything like the res=cei

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You address the three main points: you identify faults with both the keyboard and mouse, explain that they are preventing you from completing tasks and may delay projects, and request a replacement or refund. These details make the purpose clear. The impact on your work is relevant, but the consequences are somewhat unclear in places, particularly “there are of project thats need to be finish,” and the request could be more precise about which option you prefer and how the company should arrange it. The letter also ends abruptly, so it does not provide a complete closing or finish the final sentence. Develop the work-related consequences clearly and state a specific next step for the supplier to strengthen the response further.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The information follows a generally sensible order: you introduce the complaint, describe the equipment faults and their effect, then make a request. This gives the reader an overall progression. However, most of the content is placed in long paragraphs, and the first paragraph runs several ideas together without clear punctuation. Linking phrases such as “because of this” and “For instance” help connect the problem to its consequences, but some connections are difficult to follow because the wording is unclear. The final line is cut off, which weakens the letter’s overall organisation. Use separate paragraphs for the problem, its impact, and your requested solution, and make each sentence express one clearly connected idea.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use relevant vocabulary for a complaint, including “malfunctioning,” “refund,” “projects,” and “clients,” so the reader can identify the situation and your desired outcome. However, the range is limited and several word choices or phrases are inaccurate or unnatural, such as “your guys delivered here in my house,” “changing the equipment,” and “work progressively.” These expressions make parts of the letter less clear or less appropriate for a formal business complaint. Spelling and word-form errors, including “cannnot,” “thats,” and “res=cei,” also reduce control. Aim for precise, conventional complaint language, for example, “the equipment delivered to my home,” “replace the equipment,” and “continue working effectively.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more extended sentence forms, including a sentence explaining that the faults could delay projects and affect future clients. The main message is usually understandable, but there are some errors in sentence boundaries, verb forms, agreement, and punctuation. For example, “I am using it in a total of two days since the delivery” does not express the time relationship correctly, while “there are of project thats need to be finish” has problems with sentence structure and agreement. The opening sentence also joins several clauses without appropriate punctuation, and “I would like to request of changing” is not grammatically formed. Practise accurate past and present-perfect forms, and divide long sentences into complete clauses with clear punctuation.

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