Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Barron's Writing · 2026-08-30

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 6.0)

Dear Manager,

Greetings for the day!

I am writing this letter, in order to inform you that recently I had bought a brand new jacket from your store. Moreover, I had checked it as well as wore it properly and the jacket was in good condition on that time. However, when I got home then I saw that the size of jacket is large but I select for medium along with this there was a tiny hole near the pocket.

Let me elaborate this situation, Firstly, when I went to your shopping complex for returning this article then your one of employee told me that the purchased merchandise will not return as it is the rule of their shop.

Additionally, it is my formal request to you that kindly exchange this jacket otherwise refund my money so that I can feel some kind of relaxation from this problem as soon as possible.

Looking forward to your prompt response!

Yours Faithfully,

Suresh Tiwari.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

You have addressed all three bullet points required by the task: describing the problem, explaining the return issue, and stating your desired outcome. The tone is appropriate for a formal letter. However, the development of ideas is somewhat limited. For instance, the description of the problem is slightly confusing, as you mention both a size issue and a physical defect (a hole). To improve, ensure your explanation is clearer and more focused. You have successfully covered all parts of the prompt, but the depth of the explanation could be enhanced to better persuade the manager.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The letter follows a logical structure with a clear opening and closing. You use some cohesive devices such as 'Moreover', 'However', and 'Additionally' to connect your ideas. However, some transitions feel a bit mechanical or slightly unnatural, such as 'Let me elaborate this situation'. Paragraphing is present, but the flow between sentences could be smoother. The referencing is generally clear, but the overall progression of the letter could be improved by using a wider variety of linking words to create a more cohesive narrative.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, such as 'merchandise', 'elaborate', and 'prompt response'. There are some minor errors in word choice and collocation, such as 'on that time' (should be 'at that time') and 'your one of employee' (should be 'one of your employees'). While these errors do not impede communication, they indicate a need for more precise control over common English collocations. Expanding your vocabulary to include more formal business-related phrases would help elevate your score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors, such as 'I had bought' (past simple 'bought' is sufficient), 'size of jacket is large' (missing article 'the'), and 'merchandise will not return' (should be passive 'will not be returned'). Additionally, the phrase 'I select for medium' is grammatically incorrect. While these errors are noticeable, they do not prevent the reader from understanding your message. To improve, focus on subject-verb agreement and the correct use of articles and passive voice.

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

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