Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Barron's Writing · 2026-10-20

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 this letter to express my dissatisfaction with the purchase of a jacket from your store located on the young street on 18th of octomber.

My name is Sam and I am your regular customer, and always willing to buy things from your store particularly on young street location. Unfortunately, last time when I visited your shop, I bought a jacket which is white and solid in color and it is from a winter collection. But I was in hurry so, I could not able to check it properly. When I reached home, I saw that the zipper is not functionning properly.

To resolve this isuue, I tried to return it but somehow customer service associate said, this item can not be eligible return eventough it is from new arrival. I tried to explain about my situation but nothing works well.

I kindly request you to please have a look on my matter and help me to do return or give me a exchange because I am eligible for 30 days instore exchange and return as per store policy. Looking forward to hear a positive response from you as soon as possible.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Yours faithfully,

Sam

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.0

You address all three required points: you describe the faulty zipper, explain that the customer-service associate refused the return, and request a return or exchange. Your position is clear and appropriately polite, and the detail that you are a regular customer and refer to the store’s 30-day policy helps support your request. The problem and the attempted return are understandable, though the account of the refusal could be developed more precisely—for example, clarify what reason the associate gave and when you bought the jacket relative to the return attempt. The requested remedy is clear, but you could make the outcome more specific, such as asking for a refund if an exchange is unavailable. Overall, the letter fulfils the task with relevant supporting detail.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The letter follows a sensible sequence: purpose, purchase and defect, return attempt, then requested action. Paragraphing separates the main stages, and phrases such as “Unfortunately” and “To resolve this issue” help signal the progression. The opening and closing also suit a formal complaint. However, some links are mechanical or awkward, particularly “To resolve this issue” before describing the return attempt, and the long second paragraph combines several details that could be organised more cleanly. The reference to “this item” is understandable, but the explanation of the store’s refusal could connect more clearly to the policy you mention later. More precise transitions and tighter paragraphing would make the progression smoother and less effortful to follow.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use enough vocabulary to communicate the complaint and request, including relevant terms such as “dissatisfaction,” “customer service associate,” “winter collection,” and “store policy.” The tone is generally suitable for a formal letter. However, several spelling and word-choice errors are noticeable, including “octomber,” “functionning,” “isuue,” and “eventough.” Some phrases are also unnatural or imprecise: “solid in color” does not clearly describe the jacket, “eligible return” is not idiomatic, and “do return” is awkward. These choices do not prevent the reader from understanding the main message, but they limit precision and naturalness. Check spelling carefully and learn common complaint-letter collocations such as “request a refund” and “exchange the item.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mixture of sentence forms, including a relative clause in “a jacket which is white” and a conditional request about an exchange. The overall meaning remains clear, but errors occur in basic patterns and in longer sentences. For example, “I could not able to check it” combines incompatible verb forms; “the zipper is not functioning” shifts tense from the past account; and “I tried to explain … but nothing works well” has an inconsistent tense. There are also problems with articles and sentence construction in “said, this item can not be eligible return.” Aim to use past tense consistently when recounting events, and practise accurate patterns such as “was not eligible for return” and “I was unable to check it.” Greater control of these structures would make the letter more fluent.

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