Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-08-31

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 8.0)

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing to report a persistent fault with the 'UltraPrint X1000' printer, which I purchased from your store on 15th May.

The issue is that the printer consistently jams when feeding heavy cardstock, which I use daily for my graphic design work. Furthermore, all printouts now show faint vertical lines, despite my having run the cleaning cycles several times.

This malfunction is severely affecting my productivity. As I work from home, I rely entirely on this machine to meet client deadlines. I have already had to turn down two urgent orders this week, which is costing me income and damaging my professional reputation.

Since the printer is still under warranty, I request that you arrange a repair or, preferably, a replacement unit as soon as possible. I cannot afford a lengthy delay. Please let me know how we can proceed and the estimated turnaround time.

I look forward to your prompt response.

Yours faithfully,

Jagera

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response fully addresses all three bullet points of the task. You clearly describe the technical issues with the printer, explain the negative impact on your graphic design work and professional reputation, and provide a clear request for a resolution. The tone is appropriate for a formal business letter, and the purpose is clear from the outset. The ideas are well-developed and logically presented, meeting all the requirements of the prompt effectively.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The letter is well-organized with a clear logical progression. Each paragraph serves a distinct purpose, moving from the problem description to the impact and finally the requested action. Cohesive devices such as 'Furthermore', 'As I work from home', and 'Since the printer is' are used naturally to link ideas. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the flow of information is smooth throughout the text, making it very easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for a formal complaint. Terms such as 'persistent fault', 'heavy cardstock', 'malfunction', and 'turnaround time' are used accurately and in the correct context. The language is precise and professional, which is essential for this type of correspondence. There are no noticeable errors in word choice or collocation, and the vocabulary is sufficiently varied to convey your message with clarity and authority.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5

The grammar is highly accurate, with a variety of complex sentence structures used correctly. You successfully employ subordinate clauses ('which I use daily', 'despite my having run') and conditional-like structures to explain the situation. Punctuation is used correctly throughout, and there are no grammatical errors that impede communication. The control over tense and aspect is consistent, reflecting a high level of proficiency in written English.

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