Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-09-24

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 8.5)

Dear Sir,

I am writing to express my dissatisfaction with a Dell UltraSharp 27-inch monitor (Order No. #DL-84920) that I purchased from your store on September 10th.

Initially, the display operated flawlessly; however, three days ago, the screen began flickering intermittently before shutting off entirely after barely thirty minutes of use. Despite testing alternative HDMI cables and power outlets, the monitor persistently fails to maintain a stable display.

As a remote professional working entirely from home, this display is essential for my daily workflow. Without a functional primary monitor, I am unable to view technical layouts or meet critical project deadlines for my clients. Consequently, this disruption has significantly hindered my overall productivity and placed my current contracts at risk.

Given that the monitor is well within its one-year manufacturer warranty, I request an urgent replacement unit or a full refund. Failing that, please arrange for a certified technician to inspect and repair the device this week.

Yours faithfully,

Alex Morgan

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 9.0

The response fully addresses all bullet points of the task. The student clearly describes the problem by stating that 'the screen began flickering intermittently before shutting off entirely', explains the impact by noting that 'this disruption has significantly hindered my overall productivity', and clearly states the desired outcome by requesting 'an urgent replacement unit or a full refund'. The purpose of the letter is clear throughout, and the register is appropriately formal for a business complaint. The ideas are well-developed and cover all requirements comprehensively without any omissions.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 8.0

The letter exhibits clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Information is arranged in a logical sequence moving from the purchase details to the specific problem, its consequences, and finally the requested action. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately, with each paragraph serving a distinct function. Cohesive devices such as 'however', 'consequently', and 'given that' are used accurately and flexibly to guide the reader through the argument without being obtrusive.

Lexical Resource: Band 8.0

The student demonstrates a wide and flexible range of vocabulary suited to a formal complaint. Less common lexical items are used skilfully and naturally, such as 'intermittently', 'persistently', 'workflow', and 'manufacturer warranty'. Word choice and collocations are precise throughout, as seen in expressions like 'operate flawlessly' and 'hindered my overall productivity'. There are no spelling or word-choice errors, reflecting a high level of lexical control.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 8.0

The response features a wide range of complex grammatical structures used with a high degree of accuracy. The student employs varied sentence patterns, including participial phrases ('working entirely from home') and conditional/causal constructions ('Given that the monitor is well within its one-year manufacturer warranty, I request...'). The majority of sentences are completely error-free, with excellent punctuation and control over tense and agreement. Only rare, minor slips are absent, placing this firmly in the high band territory.

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