Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Barron's Writing · 2026-10-07

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 6.5)

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing this letter to express me resentment related with my recent purchase from your store. I went to your store yesterday and bought dark blue jacket. When i reached home, i was shocked to see that jacket was ripped from back side.

The very next day in the morning, i went back to shop and told them it was damaged. They told me that the sold items can not be exchanged or returned. I showed them the receipt and informed them i bought this jacket last evening and i did not even wore in once. But they were not ready to help me and also did not let me know the exact reason why they can procceed the refund or return the jacket.

I am really disappointed with the service i received yesterday from your staff. I would like you to procceed the refund for this item because it was the quality issue. The item sold in the store should be in good quality before selling it to the customer. Additionally, i want you to regulate the behaviour of your staff members so that they will not compromise with the quality and guest experience.

I want your immediate attention to this matter.

Your faithfully,

Tania Kalra

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.0

The letter addresses all three required points: you explain that the jacket was ripped at the back, describe the staff’s refusal to accept it despite seeing the receipt, and request a refund. Your purpose and dissatisfaction remain clear throughout, and the request for staff behaviour to be addressed adds relevant detail. The explanation is supported with specific circumstances, such as having bought the jacket the previous evening and not having worn it. To make the response more fully developed, state precisely what outcome you expect—for example, a full refund or a replacement—and briefly explain that the damage was present when purchased. This would make the requested resolution more explicit and strengthen the case to the manager.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0

The letter follows a clear progression: the purchase and damage are introduced first, the attempted return is explained next, and the final paragraphs state your dissatisfaction and requested action. Paragraphing helps the reader distinguish these stages, while links such as “The very next day” and “Additionally” guide the sequence. The closing request also reinforces the purpose. Some connections could be more precise: “yesterday” appears in different contexts, which may make the timing of the staff interaction less clear, and “because it was the quality issue” does not connect the refund request as naturally as it could. Use clearer references to the purchase and return visit, and make the relationship between the defect and remedy explicit.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use enough vocabulary to explain the complaint and make your request, including “resentment,” “damaged,” “disappointed,” and “compromise.” However, several word choices or collocations are inaccurate or unnatural, which limits precision: “express me resentment,” “ripped from back side,” “proceed the refund,” and “guest experience” do not fit this context naturally. Spelling errors such as “procceed” also affect the impression of control. Aim for standard complaint-letter phrases and check spelling carefully; for example, “express my dissatisfaction,” “torn at the back,” and “process a refund” would communicate your meaning more naturally. The vocabulary is relevant, but greater accuracy and flexibility are needed.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mixture of simple and more developed sentences, including the contrast in “I showed them the receipt and informed them…” and the purpose clause “so that they will not compromise…”. The main message remains understandable, but errors occur across sentence patterns and verb forms. Examples include “I bought dark blue jacket” (missing an article), “When i reached” (capitalisation), “I did not even wore” (incorrect verb form), and “Your faithfully” (incorrect closing form). The sentence about staff not explaining “why they can procceed the refund or return the jacket” is also structurally unclear. Review articles, past-tense forms after “did,” and sentence construction, then proofread punctuation and capitalisation.

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

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