Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-08-20

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 Sir,

Hope this letter finds you well. I am writing this letter as I have recently started to work with your company and have received all basic equipments needed to work efficiently. As I started to test those equipments particularly headphones of ABC company did not work. At first I thought it might be some wiring issue but after plugging into various spots I could not hear anything from them.

As, I do have to attend multiple meetings everyday, I find it challenging to focus on important things that are discussed in talks by manager. Furthermore, it becomes difficult to make and receive calls without headsets as it hinders my productivity. I tried to use my personal earphones but they are not up to the point and could not help me further in my work.

Lastly, I request to ship another pair of working headphones so I can work efficiently without any problem. As, those headsets are in 30 day warranty I kindly request for the replacement or full refund.

I look forward to your prompt response regarding how to return the defective unit.

Yours Sincerely,

Binnn

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The letter successfully addresses all three bullet points required by the prompt. You clearly describe the problem with the headphones, explain the negative impact on your daily meetings and productivity, and state your desired outcome (replacement or refund). The tone is appropriate for a formal business letter. To reach a higher band, ensure you avoid minor inaccuracies in terminology, such as referring to 'equipments' (which is an uncountable noun) and 'headsets' when you previously specified 'headphones'. Overall, the purpose of the letter is clear and the response is well-focused on the task requirements.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The letter is logically organized into clear paragraphs, each serving a specific purpose. You use some cohesive devices such as 'At first', 'Furthermore', and 'Lastly' to guide the reader through your argument. However, the flow is occasionally interrupted by slightly awkward phrasing, such as 'As I started to test those equipments particularly headphones of ABC company did not work'. Improving the transition between sentences would enhance the overall readability. The paragraphing is sufficient and appropriate for a formal letter, and the progression of ideas is easy to follow throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'defective unit', 'productivity', and 'prompt response'. However, there are some errors in word choice and form. For example, 'equipments' is incorrect as 'equipment' is an uncountable noun. The phrase 'not up to the point' is not a standard idiom; 'not up to standard' or 'not suitable' would be more precise. While your vocabulary is sufficient to convey your meaning clearly, there is limited use of less common or sophisticated lexical items, which keeps the score in the mid-range.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors, such as missing articles ('the headphones') and incorrect preposition usage ('plugging into various spots'). The sentence 'As, those headsets are in 30 day warranty' contains a punctuation error with the comma and a missing article. While these errors are noticeable, they do not impede communication, and the reader can easily understand your message. To improve, focus on subject-verb agreement and the correct use of articles, as well as ensuring that complex sentences are punctuated correctly.

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

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