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,

i am sukh singh from winnipeg manitoba and i had purchased a leather jacket from one of your store in my city.

I would like to tell you about my purchased jacket from your store on last week dated dec 22, 2025. It was black leather jacet and its bracd was levis. When i purchased it your seller said to me that it has one year manufacturing guarantee, it you found any damage by manufacturing then it will br replaceable. Outer look of this jacket it perfect, i just tried and got right fited, so i purchased it . But when i wear second time in my house then i found a mole its innerside. So when i came bace to return this to your store then your merchandise did not replace it.

Therefore i just want to say you that its manufacturing fault, i paid 500 dollers for it. So ask to your seller to replace it.

Yours truly,

Sukh Singh

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

You address all three required points: you identify the jacket as a black leather item, explain that you noticed a mark inside it after wearing it, and describe the store’s refusal to replace it. Your request for a replacement is also clear, and the reference to the one-year manufacturing guarantee and the $500 price gives useful context. This meets the task well. To make the response more complete, explain the return conversation more precisely—for example, what reason the staff gave for refusing the return—and clarify whether you are asking for a replacement under the guarantee or another remedy. The problem is relevant, but the description of the damage could also be clearer.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The letter follows a generally understandable sequence: purchase details, discovery of the damage, attempted return, and requested action. The closing is appropriate, and linking words such as “But” and “Therefore” help show the relationship between events. However, most information is placed in one long paragraph, so the stages of the complaint are not clearly separated. Some connections are also awkward or unclear, particularly “So when i came bace to return this to your store then your merchandise did not replace it.” Use separate paragraphs for the purchase and damage, the return attempt, and your request. Clearer transitions and more precise references to the staff would make the progression easier to follow.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use enough task-related vocabulary to communicate the main complaint, including “leather jacket,” “manufacturing guarantee,” “damage,” and “replace.” However, the range is limited, and several spelling and word-choice errors make parts of the letter difficult to understand, such as “jacet,” “bracd,” “mole,” and “merchandise” when referring to the store employee. Some phrases are also unnatural, including “my purchased jacket” and “right fited.” Choose precise terms for the defect and the staff member, and check spelling carefully. More natural complaint language, such as “visible mark,” “sales assistant,” and “request a replacement,” would make the message clearer and more professional.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response includes both simple statements and attempts at longer sentences, for example, the sentence explaining the guarantee and the one describing the discovery of the defect. However, control of sentence structure and verb forms is uneven, and errors sometimes make the meaning harder to follow. Examples include “i had purchased” where the simple past is more suitable, “it you found” in the guarantee sentence, and “when i came … then your merchandise did not replace it.” There are also problems with articles, agreement, and sentence boundaries. Practise building clear sentences with one main idea, then connect them accurately using clauses such as “When I returned to the store, the staff refused to replace it.”

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

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