Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-07-31

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 8.5)

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am writing to express my dissatisfaction with a laptop I recently purchased from your store.

Shortly after the laptop was delivered, I discovered that the battery life is extremely poor. It lasts for a maximum of only one hour on a full charge. As someone who works from home, I rely heavily on my laptop to respond to emails and handle urgent complaints promptly. Given the unreliable power supply in Nigeria, a one-hour battery life severely hinders my ability to work efficiently.

Considering that this product does not meet the expected performance standards, I would appreciate it if you could either replace the laptop with a fully functional unit or arrange for a full refund as soon as possible.

I have attached my purchase receipt and order details for your reference. I look forward to your prompt response and a quick resolution to this issue.

Yours faithfully,

Jennifer Odunze

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5

The response fully addresses all three bullet points required by the prompt. You clearly describe the technical issue with the battery, explain the negative impact on your professional responsibilities, and provide a clear request for a resolution (replacement or refund). The tone is appropriate for a formal letter of complaint, and the purpose is clear from the outset. The ideas are well-developed and relevant, demonstrating a solid understanding of the task requirements. There are no omissions, and the letter maintains a consistent focus on the problem throughout.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5

The letter is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph serves a distinct purpose: introduction, problem description and impact, proposed solution, and closing. You use cohesive devices effectively, such as 'Shortly after', 'As someone who', and 'Considering that', which help to link your sentences and ideas smoothly. The paragraphing is appropriate for a formal letter, and the overall structure is easy to follow. There is a natural flow from the statement of the problem to the desired outcome, making the communication very effective.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary suitable for a formal complaint. Phrases such as 'express my dissatisfaction', 'expected performance standards', and 'prompt resolution' are precise and appropriate for this context. The language is natural and conveys your meaning clearly without any significant errors in word choice or collocation. While the vocabulary is functional and accurate, incorporating a few more sophisticated or less common collocations could elevate the response further, but the current range is sufficient to convey your message with precision and clarity.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5

The grammar is highly accurate throughout the letter. You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures effectively, such as the conditional-like structure in the final paragraph and the participial phrase 'Considering that this product...'. Punctuation is used correctly, and there are no noticeable errors that impede communication. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and the control over verb tenses and sentence construction is consistent. The writing is polished and demonstrates a high level of grammatical competence.

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