Band 4.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 4.0 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-10-31

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 4.0)

Dear sir,

I am writing this letter to complain about an instrument which I bought from your shop last friday.It was a digital recorder in blue colour .I am working as a telemedicine doctor. I work from home. It worth for $200 .

It was working properly

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 2.5

You establish the purpose of the letter by saying you are writing “to complain” and identify the item as a digital recorder, including when you bought it and its price. However, the response stops before explaining what is wrong: “It was working properly” gives no fault or change in its condition. The effect on your telemedicine work and the action you want the company to take are also missing, so the main requirements are not addressed. The response is also substantially below the required 150 words, which leaves too little space to develop the complaint. To improve, describe the fault, explain its practical consequences, and make a clear request, such as a repair, replacement, or refund.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.0

The opening gives the reader a basic sequence of information: you identify the purchase, name the equipment, and state your occupation. This provides a simple starting point for the letter. However, the response ends abruptly after “It was working properly,” and there is no progression from describing the fault to explaining its impact and requesting a solution. The short, separate statements also make the message feel like notes rather than a complete letter. Organise the content into a brief opening, a paragraph explaining the problem and its effect, and a closing paragraph stating what you want the company to do. Use linking phrases such as “Since then” and “As a result” to make the relationships between ideas clear.

Lexical Resource: Band 4.5

You use relevant basic vocabulary to identify the product and context, including “digital recorder,” “telemedicine doctor,” and “work from home.” These choices make the general situation understandable. However, the range is very limited, and the response does not include vocabulary for describing a fault, its consequences, or a remedy. Some expressions are also unnatural or imprecise: “instrument” is less suitable than “equipment” or “device” here, and “It worth for $200” does not express the price naturally. Aim for precise complaint-letter language, such as “the recorder has stopped working,” “this is disrupting my consultations,” and “I would appreciate a replacement.” Check spelling and capitalisation in “last Friday” as well.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5

The response uses several short, simple statements, and the basic meaning of your occupation and purchase can be understood. There is little variety in sentence structure, however, and some grammatical errors affect accuracy. For example, “It worth for $200” needs a verb and a different construction, such as “It cost $200.” The sentence “I am working as a telemedicine doctor. I work from home” is grammatically understandable, but the ideas could be combined more smoothly. Punctuation is also inconsistent: there is no space after the full stop in “friday.It,” and the letter ends without a complete closing. Practise accurate past-tense descriptions of the purchase and present-tense explanations of the ongoing problem.

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

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