Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Barron's Writing · 2026-10-30

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 6.5)

Dear Sir/ Madam,

I hope you find this letter well.

I am writing to express my dissatisfaction with the salesperson at your store. Actually, I bought a leather jacket from your store in the morning and when I took it to home I saw there was a hole inside the pocket. Next day, I went back to the shop but it was mentioned that there was no return policy. When I asked about the reason he told that he was new in this workforce and did not know, he is just follow the policy.

I would like to mention that if there is no exchange policy please inform your customers ahead so they think double before buying any stuff from your store. Apart from this, I think you have to implement this policy in store to increase your sales and goodwill. Therefore, I request you either provide a full refund for the jacket or allow me to exchange it with something else.

I look forward to hearing from you soon regarding this matter.

Yours faithfully,

Prabhjot Kaur

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.0

The letter addresses all three required points: you identify the hole inside the pocket, explain that the store refused a return because of its policy, and request either a refund or an exchange. Your purpose is clear throughout, and the request gives the manager a practical way to resolve the complaint. The explanation of the return visit is also relevant, including the salesperson’s claim that he was new and following policy. To make the response more fully developed, clarify whether the jacket was unworn and include useful purchase details, such as the date or receipt, so the manager can investigate. The suggestion about informing customers is relevant, but it is somewhat general and could be tied more directly to this specific incident.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0

The message follows a clear sequence: it introduces the complaint, describes the defect and attempted return, then states the remedy you want. Paragraphing separates the background from your request, and phrases such as “Next day,” “Apart from this,” and “Therefore” help signal progression. The closing is appropriate for a formal letter. Some links are less smooth because the first paragraph moves quickly from the defect to the salesperson’s explanation, and “Apart from this” introduces a point that is closely connected to the preceding policy suggestion. Grouping the return details together and using more precise transitions would make the progression feel more natural and less formulaic.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use an adequate range of vocabulary to communicate the complaint, including “dissatisfaction,” “return policy,” “full refund,” “exchange,” and “goodwill.” These choices suit the purpose and make your requested outcome clear. There are, however, some inaccurate or unnatural word choices and collocations, such as “I hope you find this letter well,” “took it to home,” and “think double.” “Any stuff” is also too informal for a letter to a manager, while “implement this policy in store” does not clearly express the point you intend. Aim for more natural complaint-letter phrasing and precise terms for the damaged item and the store’s response; this would improve fluency without changing your meaning.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

You attempt both simple and more complex sentence forms, including the conditional “if there is no exchange policy” and the request structure “I request you either provide… or allow me…”. The main message remains understandable, but some grammatical errors occur. For example, “when I took it to home I saw there was a hole” needs more accurate preposition and clause structure, and “he told that he was new… and did not know, he is just follow the policy” has problems with verb forms, tense consistency, and sentence boundaries. “I hope you find this letter well” also has an inaccurate grammatical construction. Review verb patterns after reporting verbs and keep past-tense narration consistent; these changes would make your varied sentences more controlled.

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