Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Barron's Writing · 2026-08-06

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 7.5)

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing to express my dissatisfaction with a jacket that I recently purchased from you store. Unfortunately, I discovered that it was damaged after I got home.

When I examined the jacket carefully, I noticed that the zip was broken and there was a tear on the left sleeve. As a result, I was unable to wear it. I was very excited about this jacket because I purchased it for Festival.

The following day, I visited your store with the jacket and the receipt. However, the sales assistant refused to accept the return and informed me that the item could not be returned because of the store's policy.

I would really appreciate it if you could either provide me with a full refund or replace the damaged jacket with a new one.

I hope this matter can be resolved as soon as possible.

I look forward to your prompt response.

Yours faithfully,

Vishal Goyal

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response fully addresses all three bullet points required by the prompt. You clearly described the damage (broken zip and tear), explained the interaction with the sales assistant, and stated your desired outcome (refund or replacement). The tone is appropriate for a formal letter of complaint. The ideas are well-developed and the purpose of the letter is clear from the outset. You have successfully covered all parts of the task in a professional manner, meeting the requirements for a high band score in this criterion.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The letter is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph serves a distinct purpose, moving from the reason for writing to the problem, the previous attempt at resolution, and finally the requested action. Cohesive devices such as 'Unfortunately', 'As a result', and 'However' are used effectively to link sentences and ideas. The paragraphing is appropriate for a formal letter, and the overall structure is easy to follow, ensuring the reader can navigate the complaint without confusion.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey your message with precision. Phrases like 'express my dissatisfaction', 'merchandise', and 'prompt response' are well-suited to the formal register of the task. While the vocabulary is functional and accurate, it lacks a high degree of sophistication or 'less common' lexical items that would elevate it to the highest band. However, there are no errors in word choice or collocation that impede communication, and the language used is natural and appropriate for the context.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The letter displays a good control of grammatical structures. You use a mix of simple and complex sentences effectively, such as 'I was very excited about this jacket because I purchased it for Festival.' There is a minor error in the first paragraph ('from you store' should be 'from your store'), but this is a rare slip. Punctuation is generally accurate, and the sentence construction is clear. The majority of your sentences are error-free, which indicates a strong command of English grammar for this level.

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

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