Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · 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 5.0)

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing this letter to bring to your notice that I recently bought a jacket, but when I got home, I discovered it was damaged. when I took it back to the store, They were told that merchandise cannot be returned.

Last week I purchase one jacket and one shoes. When I came at home and try that jacket how the looking, That time suddenly I see left hand solder side one minor hole. That is not see easily.

I came last saturday day, because of next day start working day and that already late. I ask to your employee to for jacket I took return. But they denied me for returning. They are start argue with me, We are not take return any item after sales.

Please Sir I request from my end ask your staff why they are not took back. I have bill and that`s item in warrenty. I

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The letter addresses all three bullet points: the problem is described, the failed return attempt is explained, and a request for action is made. However, the development of these points is limited by significant language errors that make the narrative difficult to follow. For instance, the description of the hole is unclear, and the account of the interaction with the staff is fragmented. While the tone is appropriate for a formal letter, the lack of clarity in explaining the situation prevents a higher score. To improve, ensure that each point is explained with complete, grammatically sound sentences that clearly convey the sequence of events.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The letter is organized into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. However, the use of cohesive devices is very limited and often inaccurate. For example, the transition 'I came last saturday day, because of next day start working day' is confusing and lacks logical flow. Referencing is also problematic; the use of pronouns is inconsistent, making it difficult to identify who is being referred to in the interaction with the staff. The progression of ideas is frequently interrupted by grammatical errors, which hinders the overall coherence of the message.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary is basic and repetitive, often relying on simple words like 'bought', 'jacket', and 'return'. There are several instances of incorrect word choice and collocation, such as 'purchase one jacket and one shoes' (should be 'purchased a jacket and a pair of shoes') and 'left hand solder side' (likely meaning 'shoulder'). The spelling errors, such as 'warrenty', further detract from the quality of the writing. To reach a higher band, you should focus on using more precise nouns and verbs, and ensure that you are using common collocations correctly in a formal context.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 4.5

The letter contains frequent grammatical errors that often impede communication. There are consistent issues with verb tense (e.g., 'I purchase' instead of 'I purchased'), subject-verb agreement, and sentence structure. Many sentences are fragmented or lack necessary articles and prepositions, such as 'That is not see easily' and 'I have bill'. There is very little evidence of complex sentence structures, and the errors in basic grammar are pervasive throughout the text. Focusing on mastering simple sentence construction and basic verb tenses would significantly improve the clarity and accuracy of your writing.

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

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