Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-08-09

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 complain about a problem with the laptop that I purchased from your company two months ago. Although the equipment was functioning properly initially, it has recently started experiencing frequent technical issues.

The main problem is that the laptop suddenly freezes and shuts down while I am working. In addition, on some occasions, I have lost unsaved work as a result. I have already tried installing the latest software updates, but the problem still persists.

As I work from home, I rely heavily on this laptop to complete my daily tasks and attend online meetings. I have missed two virtual meetings this week and have also been unable to complete some urgent assignments on time. I have several important deadlines approaching.

I would therefore appreciate it if you could arrange for the laptop to be repaired or replaced as soon as possible. Since the equipment is still under warranty, I would expect this service to be provided at no additional cost.

I look forward to your prompt response and a satisfactory resolution to this issue.

Yours faithfully,

John

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response fully addresses all three bullet points of the task. You clearly described the technical problem, explained the negative impact on your work (missed meetings and deadlines), and specified the desired outcome (repair or replacement). The tone is consistently appropriate for a formal letter of complaint. The ideas are well-developed and the purpose of the letter is clear from the outset. You have successfully met all the requirements of the prompt, maintaining a professional and focused approach throughout.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The letter is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph serves a distinct purpose, moving from the introduction of the problem to the impact and finally the requested solution. You use cohesive devices effectively, such as 'In addition', 'As I work from home', and 'I would therefore appreciate', which help to link your sentences and paragraphs smoothly. The structure is coherent, and the paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different stages of your argument.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for a formal complaint. Phrases such as 'frequent technical issues', 'rely heavily', and 'satisfactory resolution' are precise and well-chosen. The language is natural and fits the context of a professional correspondence. While the vocabulary is accurate and sufficient, incorporating a few more sophisticated collocations or less common lexical items could elevate the response further, but the current level is already very effective for clear communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5

The grammar is highly accurate, with a variety of complex sentence structures used correctly. For example, your use of conditional and subordinate clauses, such as 'Although the equipment was functioning properly initially, it has recently started...' and 'Since the equipment is still under warranty, I would expect...', shows good control. There are no significant grammatical errors, and the punctuation is used correctly throughout. The writing is fluent and error-free, reflecting a high level of grammatical competence.

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

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