Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Barron's Writing · 2026-08-18

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 8.0)

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing to complain about a jacket I recently purchased from your store. Unfortunately, when I arrived home, I noticed that the jacket was damaged.

The problem is that there is a large tear on the left sleeve, and the zipper is also broken. I did not notice these issues when I bought the jacket because I was in a hurry and did not have enough time to check it properly.

I returned to the store the following day and explained the problem to a member of staff. However, I was told that merchandise could not be returned and that I could not receive a refund or exchange. I was disappointed because the jacket was already damaged when I purchased it.

I would appreciate it if you could arrange a full refund or replace the jacket with a new one. I still have the receipt as proof of purchase. I hope you will resolve this matter as soon as possible.

Yours faithfully,

Gurpreet Singh

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The letter fully addresses all three bullet points required by the prompt. You clearly describe the damage to the jacket (a tear and a broken zipper), explain the interaction with the store staff regarding the return policy, and state your desired outcome (a refund or replacement). The tone is appropriate for a formal letter of complaint, and the purpose is clear from the beginning. The ideas are well-developed and logically presented, meeting all the requirements of the task effectively.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The letter is well-organized with a clear logical progression. Each paragraph focuses on a specific aspect of the task, which makes the information easy to follow. You use appropriate cohesive devices such as 'Unfortunately,' 'However,' and 'because,' which help connect your ideas smoothly. The paragraphing is logical and contributes to the overall clarity of the message. The flow of information from the problem description to the desired resolution is seamless and professional.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey your message clearly and professionally. Phrases like 'proof of purchase' and 'resolve this matter' are well-suited to the context of a formal complaint. While the vocabulary is functional and accurate, it is generally standard. To reach a higher band, you could incorporate more precise or sophisticated collocations related to retail or customer service, such as 'defective merchandise' or 'unsatisfactory experience.' Nevertheless, the language used is natural and error-free.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

Your grammar is highly accurate, with a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. You use modal verbs correctly ('could not be returned,' 'would appreciate') and maintain consistent tense usage throughout the letter. There are no noticeable grammatical errors, and your punctuation is used correctly to support the structure of your sentences. The writing is fluent and demonstrates a high level of control, making the letter very easy to read and understand.

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

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