Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Barron's Writing · 2026-09-06

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 8.0)

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing to complain about a damaged jacket that I recently purchased from your store.

I bought the jacket a few days ago and was very pleased with it at the time. However, when I returned home and examined it more carefully, I noticed that there was a large tear near the left sleeve. In addition, one of the buttons was missing. As the damage was not caused by me, I decided to take the jacket back to the store the following day.

Unfortunately, when I explained the problem to a member of staff and asked for a refund or replacement, I was told that your store does not accept returns on any merchandise. I found this response very disappointing, particularly because the jacket was already damaged when I purchased it.

I would therefore appreciate it if you could arrange either a full refund or a replacement jacket of the same style and size. I can provide the receipt and the damaged jacket as proof of purchase.

I look forward to hearing from you soon and hope this matter can be resolved promptly.

Yours faithfully,

Lovepreet Singh

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 (a tear and missing button), explained the interaction with the store staff regarding their return policy, and stated your desired resolution (a refund or replacement). The tone is appropriate for a formal letter of complaint, and the purpose is clear from the outset. 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 serves a distinct purpose, moving smoothly from the introduction to the problem, the failed resolution, and the final request. Cohesive devices such as 'However', 'In addition', 'Unfortunately', and 'therefore' are used naturally to link ideas. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the overall structure is coherent, making the letter easy to follow from start to finish.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary suitable for a formal complaint. Phrases such as 'merchandise', 'proof of purchase', and 'resolved promptly' are used accurately. While the vocabulary is functional and precise, it is generally standard. To reach a higher band, you could incorporate slightly more sophisticated collocations or nuanced expressions to convey your disappointment or the urgency of the situation, though the current range is more than sufficient for this task.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The grammar is highly accurate throughout the letter. You use a variety of sentence structures, including complex sentences like 'Although the damage was not caused by me, I decided to take the jacket back...' and 'I would therefore appreciate it if you could arrange...'. Punctuation is used correctly, and there are no noticeable errors that impede communication. The control over tense and modal verbs is consistent and appropriate for the context of a formal request.

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

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