Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Barron's Writing · 2026-10-24

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 or Madam,

I m Writing this responce for recently bought a jacket on your shop and I Loved that jacket Quility and Colors also But I m feel very Regret to inform you is that jacket is Got damaged . but meschandise Product can not be returned.

Firstly , I love your shop products and everytime i buy my jacket on your shop but somehow, this time i m really vary Disoppoint with thi jacket beacuase previously before buying jacket i checked jacket perfectly alright but but after came home and checked again to showing my mom i show that jacket sleeves are not proper given beacause their length is not same .

so, Please can you give me any Solution for this problem Because I try to Return but according your Shop rules that merchandise cannot to be returned. Althoght, that jacket is not Proper to Wear so please Return or Give Cash.

your faithfully

Customer .

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You address all three required points: you explain that the jacket’s sleeves are different lengths, report that the store refused the return under its merchandise policy, and request a solution, such as a return or refund. The problem is relevant and understandable, although the explanation of what happened at the store is brief, and the requested outcome is not expressed precisely: “Return or Give Cash” could be stated as a refund or replacement. The opening also says you bought the jacket “on your shop,” which makes the situation less clear than directly identifying the purchase as being from the store. Develop the return interaction and specify your preferred remedy to make the request more complete and persuasive.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The letter has a recognisable structure, moving from the purpose of writing to the jacket problem and then to your request. Paragraph breaks help separate these stages, and “Firstly” and “so” signal some progression. However, the sequence is not always smooth: the opening combines your positive opinion of the shop, the damage, and the return policy in one crowded passage, while “but” is repeated and sometimes does not clearly connect the ideas. The reference to checking the jacket “again to showing my mom” also interrupts the explanation. Use clearer paragraph focus and more precise links—for example, explain the discovery first, then describe the conversation with staff, and finish with a direct request.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use enough task-related vocabulary to communicate the main issue, including “jacket,” “sleeves,” “length,” “damaged,” and “returned.” However, the range is limited and several spelling and word-choice errors make parts of the letter difficult to read, such as “responce,” “Quility,” “Disoppoint,” and “Althoght.” Some phrases are also unnatural or imprecise: “not proper given” does not clearly describe the sleeve problem, and “Give Cash” is less suitable than a clear term for repayment. Aim for accurate, natural expressions such as “the sleeves are different lengths,” “I was disappointed,” and “issue a refund.” Proofreading spelling and choosing standard customer-service vocabulary would improve clarity.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and longer sentence forms, including a reason clause with “because” and a request introduced by “so.” The main message can generally be followed, but errors in sentence construction and verb forms often make the wording unclear. For example, “I m feel very Regret” needs a correct verb pattern, while “after came home and checked again” is missing a subject and uses an incomplete sequence of verbs. The sentence beginning “I try to Return but according your Shop rules” also needs clearer clause structure and prepositions. Practise complete sentences with consistent tense, such as “When I got home, I noticed that the sleeves were different lengths.” Check capitalisation and punctuation as well, since they currently interrupt sentence boundaries.

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

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