Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-10-08

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 5.0)

the equipment and the tool:

i am writing this letter to inform you about the recent purchase which i bought online from your company website.In the toolbox there are plier, Wrench, 3 type of Screwdriver, tester set, cutter, Alki and many other tools but I am facing some kind of issue the main problem is the tool are incomplete like Alki set should be of 12 different size but there are only 4 and the missing alki size are 1,1.5,2,3,4,5mm. and this is not about the alki tool.I found plier is broken,

Tester set is not complete.

explain how this problem is affecting your work:

I am a certified electrician when i see this problem i confused for some time. that it might be my mistake i am carrying a toolbox but when i checked that the tool are packed with plastic wrap.and this create a big problem for me because i was at work and provide service to my client and for this reason client have to wait for but the customer declined to take service and this is how it make me a big problem i lost monsy and and loose the customer.

what you want the shop or company to do:

my only request to please change this toolbox or give my money as soon as possible and it will be appriciated

Thank you for your time and consideration

Best Regard

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You address all three requested points: you describe missing Allen-key sizes and a broken plier, explain that a client had to wait and then declined the service, and request either a replacement toolbox or a refund. These details make the complaint relevant and give the reader a clear sense of the impact. However, the request is brief, and the problem description is difficult to follow in places—for example, “Tester set is not complete” does not explain what is missing. The letter also lacks a clear opening and a complete sign-off, and the headings read like copied task prompts rather than natural letter content. Develop the requested remedy more precisely and present the information as a formal complaint letter. (17 words copied from the task prompt were not counted.)

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response follows a broadly sensible order: equipment faults, effects on work, and the action you want. This helps the reader identify the main parts of the complaint. However, the headings interrupt the flow and make the letter feel like separate answers rather than a connected message. Within paragraphs, several ideas run together, especially the long account beginning “because i was at work,” while the transition from the list of faults to their consequences is abrupt. Use clear paragraphs without prompt-style headings, and connect related points with simple linking phrases. Shorter sentences and clearer references would make the sequence of events easier to follow.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use relevant vocabulary for the situation, including “toolbox,” “certified electrician,” “client,” “service,” and “refund.” These terms help communicate the context and the outcome you want. However, the range is limited, and several word choices or spellings make the complaint less clear or less professional, such as “Alki” for “Allen key,” “mon sy,” and “loose the customer.” Some phrases are also imprecise, including “some kind of issue” and “make me a big problem.” Choose accurate names for the tools and use more specific complaint language, such as describing the equipment as incomplete or damaged and explaining the financial loss directly.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt to explain causes and consequences using longer sentences, for example, “this create a big problem for me because i was at work,” and the reader can generally understand the main message. However, the range of sentence structures is limited, and errors are frequent enough to make some sentences difficult to follow. Examples include “the tool are incomplete,” “when i see this problem i confused,” and “client have to wait for.” There are also problems with sentence boundaries and punctuation, particularly where several clauses are joined without full stops. Practise accurate subject–verb agreement, past-tense forms, and complete sentence construction; then divide long explanations into shorter sentences.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.