Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Barron's Writing · 2026-11-06

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

You recently bought a jacket, but when you got home, you discovered it was
damaged. When you took it back to the store, you were told that merchandise
cannot be returned.

Write a letter to the store manager. In your letter:
• describe the problem with the jacket.
• explain what happened when you tried to return it.
• say what you would like the manager to do.

You do NOT need to write any addresses.

Begin your letter as follows:

Dear Sir or Madam,

Student answer (Band 5.5)

To,

The Manager,

Subject: Request for the return back damaged jacket.

Dear Sir/Madam,

Regarding the suited subject matter i would like to tell you, i buy a jacket from your established store few day beform. When i discovered it at my home, i found it was damaged from the serveral places which is showing the back of jecket.

So, when i went to the store with a complaint to return back or replacment, the store supervisor refused my request. He argue with me and saying in our company policy turm and condition is not allow to return back the sell stuff once you buy and discovered the pakage.

so i have a humbly request you please take an action on it. And replace the jecket with other one or return back. i will be thankful to you for your kind responds.

With my best regards,

xyz.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You cover the three requested points: you say the jacket was damaged, explain that the supervisor refused the return, and ask for a replacement or refund. However, the problem is only briefly described; specifying the damage more clearly would make the complaint more convincing. The requested action is also not fully precise, as “replace the jacket with other one or return back” does not clearly state whether you want a replacement or a refund. The letter is 146 words, so it falls four words short of the required minimum. Add relevant detail about the damage or the outcome you expect, rather than padding the letter, to address the task more fully and clearly.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The information follows a generally sensible order: you introduce the purchase, describe the damage, explain the unsuccessful return attempt, and make a request. The paragraph breaks also help distinguish the main stages of the complaint. However, the opening phrase “Regarding the suited subject matter” is awkward and delays the purpose, while “So” and “and” do not always connect the ideas smoothly. The long sentence about the supervisor’s response combines several points and would be clearer if divided. Use a direct opening, then separate the damage, store response, and requested solution into clear paragraphs, with linking phrases that show the relationship between events.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some vocabulary relevant to a formal complaint, including “supervisor,” “company policy,” “refused my request,” and “replace.” This gives the reader the general meaning. However, the range is limited, and several inaccurate or misspelled expressions make the letter less clear or natural: “return back,” “serveral places,” “jecket,” and “kind responds.” Some phrases, such as “suited subject matter” and “established store,” are not appropriate or natural in this context. Choose precise complaint vocabulary and check spelling and collocations. For example, describe the jacket as “damaged in several places” and refer to the store’s “returns policy.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The letter attempts both simple and longer sentence forms, and the main events can generally be understood. However, errors in verb forms, agreement, articles, and sentence construction are frequent. For example, “i buy a jacket … few day” needs a past-tense verb and a correctly formed time phrase; “He argue with me and saying” has inconsistent verb forms; and “the … policy … is not allow” does not form a correct clause. Capitalisation and punctuation are also inconsistent, including lowercase “i” and the run-on sentence beginning “He argue.” Practise accurate past-tense narration and build longer sentences from a clear subject and verb, checking each clause before combining it.

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

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