Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-08-22
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 7.5)
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am writing to complain regarding the equipment which I purchased from your shop, as it is not functioning properly. I work from home and rely on my computer everyday, but the keyboard is causing great difficulty in my daily work.
The problem is with the keyboard supplied along with the computer which I purchased from your shop last month. Some keys of that keyboard do not function properly while typing, and consequently, result in errors in my typing.
As I work from home for a reputable company, I need to write a lot of consequential professional emails every day to my acquaintances, and having this typing issue is negatively impacting my work productivity. As a result I have missed deadlines and experienced unnecessary stress.
I would request you to kindly replace the defective keyboard on an urgent basis and arrange the delivery of a new keyboard to my home address. I have attached the receipt along with this email.
Your attention to this matter is of dire importance, and I look forward to your prompt reply acknowledging this matter.
Kind regards,
Rashpal Kaur
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 8.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 8.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.5 |
| Overall | 7.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0
The response successfully addresses all three bullet points of the prompt. You clearly describe the problem with the keyboard, explain the negative impact on your professional work, and state your desired outcome (a replacement). The tone is appropriate for a formal complaint letter, and the purpose is clear throughout. The ideas are well-developed, providing enough detail to satisfy the requirements of the task. You have maintained a consistent focus on the task requirements from start to finish, ensuring the reader understands both the nature of the technical issue and the urgency of the request.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0
The letter is logically 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 the call to action. You use cohesive devices effectively, such as 'consequently', 'as a result', and 'in addition', which help the reader follow your argument. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different stages of your complaint. The flow is smooth, and the relationship between the technical fault and the resulting professional stress is clearly articulated.
Lexical Resource — Band 7.0
You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for a formal business context. Phrases like 'functioning properly', 'reputable company', and 'prompt reply' are used accurately. While the vocabulary is functional and clear, there is room to incorporate more sophisticated or precise collocations to reach the highest band. For instance, instead of 'causing great difficulty', you could use 'hindering my workflow'. The word choice is consistently accurate, and there are no spelling errors that impede communication. The language is natural and fits the formal tone of the letter well.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5
The response features a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. Your control over grammar is strong, with very few errors. For example, 'I am writing to complain regarding the equipment' is grammatically sound. You use complex sentences effectively, such as 'As I work from home for a reputable company, I need to write a lot of consequential professional emails every day'. Punctuation is generally accurate, and the sentence structure supports the clarity of your message. There are no significant errors that cause confusion, making the text easy to read and professional in its presentation.
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