Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-08-08

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 8.0)

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing to express my dissatisfaction with the product which I purchased from your company and to request your assistance in resolving this matter.

I bought a wireless tablet from your online company on 5 July, and it was delivered three days later. Unfortunately, just after one week of use, the item began experiencing serious technical problems, including frequent screen crashes and battery failure. Despite following all instructions mentioned in the user manual, the problem has continued and has affected my ability to work effectively.

The product is still within the warranty period. I would appreciate it if you could arrange either a replacement or a full refund. I have attached the copy of the purchased receipt along with the photographs showing the condition of the product.

Thank you for your time and cooperation. I look forward to receiving your response.

Yours faithfully,

Ashu Berwal

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response fully addresses all three bullet points in the prompt. You clearly describe the technical issues with the tablet, explain the impact on your work, and explicitly state your desired outcome (a 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, meeting all requirements of the task effectively. The structure is logical, and the information is presented in a professional manner that would be expected in a real-world scenario.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The letter is well-organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph serves a distinct purpose: the introduction states the purpose, the body paragraphs detail the problem and its impact, and the final paragraph provides a clear call to action. Cohesive devices such as 'Unfortunately', 'Despite', and 'In addition' (implied through structure) are used effectively to link ideas. The paragraphing is logical and contributes to the overall readability of the letter. The flow is smooth, and the relationship between sentences is clear throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for a formal complaint. Phrases like 'express my dissatisfaction', 'resolving this matter', and 'within the warranty period' are accurate and professional. There is a consistent level of formality maintained throughout. While the vocabulary is functional and precise, it could be slightly more sophisticated to reach the highest band, but it is certainly sufficient for clear and effective communication. There are no spelling or word-choice errors that impede understanding.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The grammar is accurate, and you use a variety of sentence structures effectively. You successfully incorporate complex sentences, such as 'I am writing to express my dissatisfaction with the product which I purchased...' and 'Despite following all instructions mentioned in the user manual, the problem has continued...'. Punctuation is used correctly, and the majority of sentences are error-free. The control over verb tenses (past for the purchase, present for the current situation) is consistent and correct. The writing is polished and demonstrates a high level of grammatical control.

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

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