Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Barron's Writing · 2026-08-26

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 5.0)

Dear sir/madam

I reacently bought jacket from your store and when i reached at home i saw it was damaged from the edge of the arm.

Furthermore, when i go back to store to return the jacket because of the damaged. The salesman tell me the products already sell not be returned. But i spend money to wear the jacket due to damaged i cant wear it and its totally wastage of my money . i also ask the store credit or give me same jacket but they denied.

I just want if you can please exchange is and replace with same kind jacket or give me store credit if you are able to do . i will be very thankful.

yours faithfully,

rajwinder kaur

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The letter addresses all three bullet points: describing the damage, explaining the refusal of the return, and stating the desired outcome. However, the response is significantly under the 150-word minimum, which limits the development of ideas. The explanation of the problem is brief, and the tone is somewhat informal for a formal letter of complaint. To improve, you should expand on the details of the damage and provide a more professional justification for your request, ensuring you meet the length requirement to fully develop your response.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The letter is divided into short paragraphs, which helps with basic organization. However, the use of cohesive devices is very limited and sometimes mechanical. For example, 'Furthermore' is used, but the transition between the problem and the store's reaction is abrupt. The logical flow is hindered by the lack of connecting phrases and the brevity of the sentences. To improve, use a wider variety of linking words such as 'consequently', 'in addition', or 'nevertheless' to connect your ideas more smoothly and create a more cohesive narrative.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary is basic and repetitive. You use simple terms like 'damaged' and 'money' repeatedly. There are also errors in word choice and collocation, such as 'products already sell not be returned' and 'its totally wastage'. These errors occasionally make the meaning slightly unclear. To reach a higher band, you should aim to use more precise vocabulary related to retail and customer service, such as 'defective', 'policy', 'refund', or 'exchange', and ensure that your word forms are used correctly in context.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The response contains frequent grammatical errors, including issues with verb tenses ('The salesman tell me'), subject-verb agreement, and sentence structure. Many sentences are simple, and there is a lack of complex structures. Punctuation is also inconsistent, particularly with the use of capital letters and sentence boundaries. To improve, focus on mastering basic sentence construction, ensuring consistent verb tenses, and practicing the use of complex sentences with subordinate clauses to demonstrate a wider grammatical range.

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

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