Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-09-30

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 or Madam,

I am writing to inform you about a problem with a piece of equipment that I recently purchased from your company.

I have recently purchased a pair of headsets from your company on July 5. The model number was XBYZ123, black color. The headset was working properly for the first few weeks but later on there were several problems with the equipment. Firstly, the main reason for ordering that specific model was because of its long lasting battery life, however after using for couple the of weeks the battery life reduce significantly. Secondly, there was the Bluetooth connectivity issue since the day of purchase.

Having this many problems it is affecting my work significantly in many ways. I need to keep on charging headphones while using it. In addition to that, due to the Bluetooth issue the calls suddenly drop which affect my job responsibilities.

Therefore, I kindly request you to replace these headphones with new ones or give a complete refund as it is still under the warranty period.

I am looking forward to your prompt response.

Kind regards,

John

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.0

The candidate successfully addresses all three bullet points required by the task prompt. The letter begins appropriately with 'Dear Sir or Madam,' and immediately states the purpose of the communication. The problem with the equipment is clearly described, noting that 'the battery life reduce significantly' and detailing a 'Bluetooth connectivity issue since the day of purchase.' Furthermore, the impact on work is explained by mentioning that 'due to the Bluetooth issue the calls suddenly drop which affect my job responsibilities.' Finally, the candidate clearly states what action is required, requesting 'to replace these headphones with new ones or give a complete refund.' The tone is consistently formal and appropriate for a complaint letter. The requirements of the task are fully covered, demonstrating a clear understanding of the communicative purpose.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The letter exhibits a clear and logical overall organisation. The text is divided into distinct paragraphs that correspond to the standard conventions of a formal letter: introduction, description of the problem, impact on work, requested action, and sign-off. Cohesive devices are used reasonably well, such as 'Firstly,' 'however,' 'In addition to that,' and 'Therefore,' which help guide the reader through the sequence of points. However, some cohesive links feel a bit repetitive or slightly mechanical, such as the frequent use of transition words to start sentences. Referencing is generally clear, though occasional minor slip-ups in phrasing occur (e.g., 'Having this many problems it is...'). Overall, the progression of ideas is logical and easy to follow throughout the response.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

The student uses an adequate range of vocabulary suitable for a workplace complaint letter, including terms like 'warranty period,' 'connectivity issue,' 'responsibilities,' and 'prompt response.' There are some attempts to use less common vocabulary, though these are accompanied by occasional errors or awkward collocations. For example, writing 'after using for couple the of weeks' contains word order and article errors, and 'battery life reduce' shows a tense/form issue. Despite these inaccuracies in word form and choice, the vocabulary is sufficient to convey the intended meaning clearly without impeding the reader's understanding. Spelling throughout the letter is generally accurate.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

The response demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as the use of subordinate clauses introduced by 'because of' and 'due to.' There are several grammatical errors present, including subject-verb agreement and tense issues (e.g., 'the battery life reduce significantly' instead of 'reduced,' and 'after using for couple the of weeks'). Additionally, the dangling modifier in 'Having this many problems it is affecting my work' causes a slight grammatical lapse. Punctuation is generally functional, and while the errors are noticeable, they do not impede overall communication. The control of grammar is consistent with a solid intermediate level.

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