Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Barron's Writing · 2026-10-27

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,

Hope so you are doing good,I want to draw your attention to a problem i'am facing because of your return policy,i bought a jacket from your outlet which is damaged, and now i want to return it.

l went to your store 2 days ago where i found a lovely jacket and bought that jacket as the price was very appealing,i was in hurry so i did not trried that jacket.

when i came home i tried it and it was damaged,so the next day i went to your store i told them that it is damaged and i want to return it, but the manager over there told me that you do not have any return policy.

now i want you to please look into this matter as the jacket is damaged and totally useless for me,i cannot wear it anywhere,and its a mistake on your end that if the product was damaged than why you displayed it.

kindly look into this matter and try to change your policy regarding damaged product.

thank you.

anna.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

You address all three bullet points: you explain that the jacket was damaged, describe being told there was no return policy, and ask the manager to look into the matter. The request is understandable, and the complaint remains relevant throughout. The response also shows some awareness of the next level through specific context, such as buying the jacket in a hurry and discovering the damage at home. However, the desired outcome is not fully clear: you ask the manager to review the matter and change the policy, but do not directly request a refund, replacement, or repair. Developing that practical remedy and explaining the damage more precisely would make the response more complete and persuasive.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The letter has a generally coherent sequence: purchase, discovery of the damage, attempted return, and request for action. Paragraphing helps separate the opening from the account of events and the closing request. However, some connections are mechanical or unclear. For example, the opening combines several ideas in one long sentence, and the repeated use of “jacket” and “store” makes the account less smooth. The final request to change the policy also shifts from resolving your individual complaint to a broader issue without a clear transition. Use clearer paragraph purposes and linking phrases, and refer back with expressions such as “the item” or “this defect” where appropriate.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use enough relevant vocabulary to communicate the situation, including “return policy,” “damaged,” and “look into this matter.” However, the range is limited, and several choices are unnatural or imprecise for a formal complaint. “Hope so you are doing good” is not a natural opening, while “the price was very appealing” does not explain why the purchase detail matters. “Totally useless for me” and “mistake on your end” sound blunt rather than appropriately formal. Spelling and word-form slips such as “trried” and “i'am” also affect the impression of control. Aim for precise, polite complaint language, such as “request a refund” and “the garment is unwearable because…”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The message is understandable, and you attempt to combine ideas using clauses with “when,” “so,” and “but.” However, the range is limited, and errors in sentence boundaries, verb forms, and punctuation recur. For example, “I bought a jacket from your outlet which is damaged, and now i want to return it” joins ideas awkwardly, while “when i came home i tried it and it was damaged,so the next day…” runs several events together without adequate punctuation. There are also errors in forms such as “i'am facing” and “why you displayed it.” Use complete, controlled sentences, check question and clause word order, and apply consistent capitalization and punctuation to make the letter easier to read.

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

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