Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Barron's Writing · 2026-11-14

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 6.5)

Dear Sir/Maam

Good day, I would like to inform you that I recently went to your store to buy a jacket and there I found a jacket that is very nice and fit to me. However, when i got home i found out that it has some damage inside and I cannot unzipped the zippper of its pocket. I tried to return it back and ask your staff if i can request for a replacement but I was told by one of your staff that merchandise cannot be returned once it goes out from the store. I also begged your staff to please reconsider because I dont have any money left to buy another jacket but your staff told me that they cant make any considerations regarding to any purchases in the store. They just told me that only the manager can decide for any returned merchandises. That is why I am writing this letter to ask for your help to replace the damage jacket that we bought in your store.

I am hoping for your kind consideration with regards to this matter. Thank you and God bless.

Faithfully Yours,

Alvin Begontes

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.5

You address all three requested points: you describe the damaged pocket zip, explain that staff refused the return and said only the manager could decide, and clearly ask for a replacement. The purpose is apparent throughout, and the details about asking staff to reconsider help explain the situation. This is a strong, relevant response, though the requested remedy could be developed more precisely—for example, state whether you would accept a refund if a replacement is unavailable, and mention proof of purchase or the date of purchase. The closing is polite, but “God bless” is less suited to a formal complaint letter. A more conventional sign-off would make the tone consistently appropriate.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The letter follows a sensible sequence: purchase and discovery of the fault, the attempted return, and the request to the manager. Linking phrases such as “However,” “That is why,” and “I am hoping” make the progression easy to follow. The main limitation is that most of the explanation is packed into one long paragraph, with several events joined by “and” or “but.” This makes the account feel somewhat repetitive and less controlled. Separate the problem, the store’s response, and your requested action into clear paragraphs, and vary the links between ideas. The opening and closing are identifiable, but a more formal, consistent letter format would strengthen the overall organisation.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

Your vocabulary is sufficient to communicate the complaint, using relevant terms such as “damaged,” “replacement,” “merchandise,” and “reconsider.” However, several choices are inaccurate or unnatural, which limits precision: “return it back” is redundant, “damage jacket” should be “damaged jacket,” and “returned merchandises” uses an unsuitable plural form. “Fit to me” and “cannot unzipped” also show difficulty selecting the correct expression or word form. Spelling errors such as “zippper” and “Maam” further reduce accuracy. Aim for natural complaint-letter phrases, such as “the zip on the pocket is stuck” and “request a replacement,” and check spelling and word forms carefully.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt some longer sentences to explain the sequence of events, and the reader can generally understand your meaning. However, the range is limited, and errors recur in basic structures and in the longer sentences. For example, “when i got home i found out” needs capitalisation and punctuation, while “I cannot unzipped” combines incompatible verb forms. In “I tried to return it back and ask,” the verb forms are not parallel; “I tried to return it and ask” or “I tried to return it and asked” would be clearer. There are also errors in “they cant make any considerations” and “the damage jacket.” Use shorter sentences where needed, and proofread verb forms, articles, agreement, and punctuation.

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

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