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 Sir,

I am writing complain about jacket which I recently bought from your store. I am really disappointed from your service.

Last week, I bought dark blue leather jacket from store at city mall. After reaching home I noticed that the main front zip is not working properly. I did not check while purchasing. Moreover, the pocket of button inside was also broken.

When I noticed these fault, I have decided to return it to store. When I went to the store and receptionist told me that jacket was on final sale and non refundable. I explained them about my situation and problem but they did not listen at all.

I would appreciate it if you could replace this jacket with another one. Alternatively, if it is not possible to replace then please refund full amount because I am your regular customer. I am attaching original receipt with this letter.

I look forward to hearing from you. Please consider my request.

Yours faithfully,

Darshit

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The letter addresses all three bullet points required by the prompt: describing the jacket's defects, explaining the store's refusal to return it, and stating the desired resolution. The tone is appropriate for a formal complaint letter. However, the development of ideas is somewhat basic. For instance, the explanation of the store's refusal could be more detailed to better reflect the frustration of the situation. Despite this, the purpose of the letter is clear, and the reader is left in no doubt about the writer's intentions. All parts of the task are covered, meeting the requirements for a Band 6.0.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The letter is logically organized into clear paragraphs, each serving a specific purpose. The progression of ideas is easy to follow, moving from the purchase to the problem, the failed return attempt, and finally the requested solution. Cohesive devices are used, such as 'Moreover', 'When I noticed', and 'Alternatively', though some transitions feel a bit mechanical. The use of referencing is generally clear, though the flow between sentences could be improved with more varied linking words to avoid a slightly repetitive structure. Overall, the organization is coherent and serves the task well.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary is adequate for the task, allowing the writer to communicate the situation clearly. There are some instances of missing articles (e.g., 'complain about jacket', 'from store') and minor collocation issues (e.g., 'pocket of button'). While the range is sufficient to convey the message, there is little attempt to use less common or more sophisticated vocabulary. The language is functional but lacks the precision and variety required for a higher band. To improve, the writer should focus on using more descriptive adjectives and precise business-related terminology.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The letter contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors, particularly regarding article usage ('a jacket', 'the store') and verb tense consistency ('I have decided' instead of 'I decided'). While these errors are noticeable, they do not impede communication, and the meaning remains clear throughout. The punctuation is generally accurate, and the letter follows the standard format for formal correspondence. To reach a higher band, the writer needs to demonstrate better control over articles and more consistent use of verb tenses in narrative contexts.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.