Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Barron's Writing · 2026-10-12

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 5.5)

Dear Sir,

I am writing this letter about dissatisfaction related to my purchasing which I had bought from your shopping centre yesterday that is double sided jacket .When I came and saw the jacket It was looked vey attartive and good looking but when I wore in my friend's birthad]ay party,zip broken even threads also came out.

When I went to the your store to return this product,one of the your worker denied to accept it and behaved in disrespective way.When I showed him bill of purchasing after that he accepted to exchane but on less price.It was around 5000/- cost.

Moreover. I would request to you kindly provide me good quality of jacket on same price .

Yours truly,

Anjana Dogra

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You cover the three requested points: you say the jacket’s zip broke and threads came out, describe the employee refusing the return before offering an exchange at a lower price, and ask for a replacement of good quality at the same price. These details make the complaint relevant, but the request could be clearer and more specific—for example, ask directly for a replacement without extra payment or a refund. The problem and the store’s response are also only briefly explained, so the letter’s ideas remain under-developed. In addition, the response is 28 words below the required minimum, which limits the opportunity to explain the circumstances and desired resolution fully. A more formal opening and a clearer account of the purchase would strengthen the letter.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The letter follows a generally sensible order: the purchase and damage are described first, the attempted return comes next, and the requested solution appears at the end. Paragraphing helps distinguish these stages, and phrases such as “When I went” signal a change in events. However, some connections are awkward or unclear, particularly “When I showed him bill of purchasing after that he accepted to exchane but on less price.” The transition “Moreover” does not add a new point so much as introduce the request, and the final paragraph is very short. Use clearer sequencing and reference—for example, explain exactly what the employee offered, then state why that offer was unacceptable before making your request.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant vocabulary for a complaint, including “double sided jacket,” “zip,” “threads,” “return,” and “exchange,” so the reader can identify the issue. However, the range is limited and several inaccurate or misspelled expressions make the letter less clear or natural. “Dissatisfaction related to my purchasing” is an awkward way to introduce the complaint, while “behaved in disrespective way” and “on less price” do not express the intended meaning idiomatically. There are also spelling errors such as “vey,” “birthad]ay,” and “exchane.” Aim for precise complaint language and check spelling; for instance, describe the item as “defective” and say the employee offered an exchange “for a lower-priced item.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response attempts both simple and longer sentence forms, including a time clause beginning “When I went to the your store,” but control is inconsistent. Errors in articles and sentence construction appear in “about dissatisfaction related to my purchasing which I had bought” and “one of the your worker.” The sentence about showing the bill also lacks clear punctuation and has an unclear sequence of clauses. In “when I wore … zip broken,” the verb pattern and clause structure are incomplete; a complete version would be “when I wore it … the zip was broken.” Use shorter, complete sentences where needed, and check articles, verb forms, and punctuation before combining ideas. These changes would make the message easier to follow.

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