Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Barron's Writing · 2026-09-13

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 7.5)

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing to complain about a jacket that I recently purchased from your store and would also like to claim a full refund for it.

The major issue is the non-functional chain of the jacket. When I tried at the store, it was working completely well. However, the next day when I wore it for a party, the chain was stuck in the middle, was not closing properly and leaving the jacket half open. Additionally, I observed a visible damage on the right sleeve of the clothing. Considering these issues, I went at the store to return it .

When I tried to return this jacket at the store, the employee named- Kishan attended me and informed me that it is not-returnable. I was not provided with any information regarding exchange or return while purshasing.

I would greatly appreciate if you can provide me with a full refund as this is an unused brand new jacket and would recommend you to keep customers informed about the non-refundable policies for every garments.

Hoping for your prompt response into this matter.

Thank you.

Yours sincerely,

Krupa

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response successfully covers all three bullet points required by the task prompt. You clearly describe the problem with the jacket by mentioning the non-functional zipper, stating that it got stuck in the middle, and pointing out visible damage on the right sleeve. Furthermore, you effectively explain what happened when you tried to return it at the store by identifying the employee, Kishan, and reporting that you were told merchandise was non-returnable without prior warning. Finally, you explicitly state what you would like the manager to do by requesting a full refund and suggesting better customer communication regarding policies. The tone is appropriate for a formal complaint letter, and all ideas are fully relevant and well-developed, satisfying the Band 8 standard for this criterion.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

Your letter is easy to follow and structured logically with a clear introduction, well-organised body paragraphs dealing with separate issues, and a polite sign-off. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately, as each main point occupies its own distinct paragraph. Cohesive devices such as 'However', 'Additionally', and 'Considering these issues' are employed accurately to guide the reader smoothly through your narrative. Referencing is clear throughout, and the progression of ideas from the purchase and the defect to the store encounter and your final demand flows naturally. This performance aligns well with the Band 7 descriptors for coherence and cohesion.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary for the task, successfully using terms such as 'non-functional', 'merchandise', 'brand new', and 'prompt response'. There are a few minor lexical inaccuracies or awkward collocations, such as 'chain of the jacket' instead of 'zipper of the jacket', 'went at the store' instead of 'went to the store', and 'every garments' instead of 'every garment'. However, these vocabulary errors do not impede communication at all, and your precise descriptions of the defects show good command of everyday formal lexis. This reflects a solid Band 6.5 performance, rounded to Band 7 given the clarity and adequacy of the vocabulary range.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

Your letter features a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as conditional ideas and participial phrases ('Considering these issues, I went...'). You demonstrate good control of past and present tenses, correctly shifting from past events ('purchased', 'went') to present states ('is the non-functional chain'). There are a few minor grammatical errors, such as missing articles ('went at the store', 'visible damage' instead of 'visible damage') and spelling/word-form slips ('purshasing' instead of 'purchasing'), but the majority of sentences are error-free and punctuation is well managed. These minor issues rarely impede communication, placing your writing comfortably at Band 7.

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

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