Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Barron's Writing · 2026-10-26

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 am writing this letter to inform you that, recently I bought a jacket from your store the customer service was so good and all your staff was so co-operative and supportive I bought the black jacket with fur it is really heavy and good quality stuff but, after reaching home I found a problem in a jacket that it is ripped from the left side of the arms and \i didn't noticed that in the store but I noticed in the house and after I tried to return it but the staff refused to take it back and told me that the store have no return policy.I am attaching some pictures of the damage on the product and kindly help me to slove my problem so I can able to get the new jacket of the same segament and design.

Thank You

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You address all three points: you describe the jacket as ripped on the left arm, explain that staff refused the return because of the store’s policy, and request a replacement of the same design. The request is relevant, but the desired outcome could be stated more clearly and formally, and the damage and return experience would benefit from a little more detail. The positive comments about the staff and jacket quality are not essential to resolving the complaint. The response is three words below the required minimum, so it does not fully meet the task’s length requirement. Add a brief explanation of when you bought the jacket and a clear request for a replacement or refund.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The information follows a broadly sensible order: you introduce the purchase, describe the damage, explain the attempted return, and make a request. However, nearly the entire letter is presented as one long sentence, so the reader has to work to separate these stages. Linking words such as “but” and “and” are repeated, and the transition from praising the staff to reporting their refusal is not clearly managed. Use separate paragraphs for the purchase and problem, the return attempt, and your requested solution. Full stops and a few precise connectors would make the progression easier to follow without relying on repeated conjunctions.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use enough vocabulary to communicate the main complaint, including “ripped,” “return policy,” and “damage.” There are also attempts at more specific description, such as “black jacket with fur,” though some expressions are inaccurate or unnatural: “good quality stuff,” “same segament,” and “slove my problem.” These errors make parts of the letter less polished, even though the intended meaning is generally recoverable. Choose standard customer-service wording, such as “high-quality material,” “same style,” and “resolve this issue.” Check spelling carefully and avoid informal or vague phrases when describing the product and the remedy you want.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The letter communicates its main points, but sentence control is limited because several clauses are joined into one run-on sentence. There are some errors in verb forms and sentence structure, for example “I didn't noticed” and “after I tried to return it,” where the sequence of events is not expressed in a complete, well-formed clause. Articles and agreement also need attention in phrases such as “a problem in a jacket” and “the store have no return policy.” Use past-tense forms consistently when recounting what happened, and divide the account into shorter sentences. This will make the message clearer while allowing you to show a more controlled mix of sentence structures.

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