Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Barron's Writing · 2026-10-19

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 6.0)

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing to complain about the jacket I bought from your store recently. It is in good condition, but some parts are damaged. Employee told me that there is no return policy.

The woolen jacket I purchased, is very expensive. It is very good looking and warm. I was also looking for the same colour for months in every store. As I saw it, I was in love with it and also I was in hurry. So I didnot even try the jacket or ask for the returning policy. But when I reached home and check, the stitching is coming of from some parts. Like, from the left leg and under shoulder.

As I noticed the damage, I quickly rush back to the store and notify the counter person, but he said products cannot be returned. I showed him all the reciepts and tags.

I request you to please either give me refund or exchange the jacket. I would appreciate your prompt attention to it.

Yours faithfully,

Aman

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

The letter addresses all three required points: it describes the jacket’s damage, explains the refusal at the store, and requests either a refund or an exchange. The details about the stitching and showing the receipts and tags make the complaint relevant, while the polite request gives the letter a clear purpose. Some points are less fully developed: the damage description is unclear in “from the left leg and under shoulder,” and the account of the return visit could explain more precisely what the employee said or whether any solution was offered. The response already shows a clear, appropriate position and covers the task well; clearer, more specific detail would make the ideas more fully developed.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The information is arranged in a generally sensible order: the opening states the complaint, the next paragraph gives background and describes the damage, and the final paragraph explains the return attempt and requested outcome. Paragraphing helps distinguish these stages. However, progression within the middle section is sometimes uneven, and several ideas are joined mechanically with “and” or “So.” The opening also says the jacket is “in good condition” before explaining that it is damaged, which weakens the connection between ideas. Use clearer links to show sequence and contrast—for example, “However, when I inspected it at home…”—and keep each paragraph focused on one stage of the complaint.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The vocabulary is adequate for a straightforward complaint, with relevant terms such as “stitching,” “receipts,” “tags,” “refund,” and “exchange.” The writer also attempts more specific description, including “woolen jacket” and “prompt attention.” However, several word choices or collocations are inaccurate or unclear, such as “notify the counter person,” “the stitching is coming of,” and “under shoulder.” Spelling errors in “didnot” and “reciepts” also reduce accuracy. These issues do not prevent the reader from understanding the main request, but they limit precision and naturalness. Build a small set of accurate complaint-letter phrases and check spelling and collocations before submitting.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The letter includes both simple sentences and attempts at more complex structures, such as “As I saw it, I was in love with it and also I was in hurry.” The main message remains understandable, but some grammatical errors affect clarity and control. Examples include the unnecessary comma in “The woolen jacket I purchased, is very expensive,” the missing article in “I was in hurry,” and the tense mismatch in “when I reached home and check.” The sentence beginning “As I noticed the damage” also shifts awkwardly between past forms. Practise maintaining consistent past tense when narrating events, and check articles and sentence punctuation. More accurate control of these structures would strengthen the letter.

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

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