Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Barron's Writing · 2026-11-01

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 or Madam,

I am writing to express my dissatisfaction with a jacket that I bought from your store, which I discovered damaged after I reached home. The jacket is a black cropped puffer jacket, it is a cute product, but when I reached home and wore it I realized that one of its pockets is completely torned from inside and the zipper is also not working smoothly.

I went back to store immediately to return it, however when I explain everything to front desk employee she refused to return the merchandise due to store policy. Furthermore, when I asked for retured that was also denied which I felt unprofessional.

I will really appreciate it if you can return or exchange the product as I had shop many times from your store and this is the first time I am facing an issue. I have attached all the receipts and images of the jacket with this mail. Looking forward for your prompt response.

Thank you

Tanveer

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.0

The letter addresses all three required points: it identifies the jacket’s damage, explains that the employee refused a return under store policy, and asks the manager to arrange a return or exchange. The specific details about the torn pocket and faulty zipper make the complaint clear, while mentioning previous purchases helps explain why you are contacting the manager. The requested outcome is also explicit. To make the response more fully developed, clarify whether you prefer a refund or an exchange and briefly state what resolution you expect if an exchange is unavailable. The reference to receipts and photographs supports your request, although the letter could explain more directly how these documents demonstrate the problem and purchase.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0

The information follows a clear, sensible order: you introduce the complaint, describe the damage, recount the attempted return, and then state what you want the manager to do. Paragraphing separates the main stages effectively, and linking expressions such as “however,” “Furthermore,” and “as” help show relationships between ideas. The closing is appropriate for a formal complaint. Some connections could be more precise: “Furthermore” introduces the denied request, but the wording that follows does not clearly identify what was denied. Also, the final paragraph combines the requested remedy, your customer history, attached evidence, and the closing expectation. Separating or more clearly linking these points would make the progression smoother.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use an adequate range of vocabulary to explain the complaint, including “dissatisfaction,” “cropped puffer jacket,” “completely torn,” and “store policy.” These choices make the situation understandable and provide useful detail. There are, however, several inaccurate word forms or collocations that reduce precision, such as “torned,” “retured,” and “return the merchandise” where you mean a refund. “Cute product” is also too informal and does not help establish a professional tone. Aim for more natural complaint-letter phrasing, such as “the pocket lining is torn,” “my request for a refund was denied,” and “the jacket is defective.” Proofreading spelling and choosing precise terms for the remedy would strengthen your vocabulary control.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The letter includes both simple statements and longer sentences, for example the opening sentence with a relative clause and the request beginning “I will really appreciate it if…”. The meaning is generally clear, but some grammatical errors remain. In “The jacket is a black cropped puffer jacket, it is a cute product,” two independent clauses are joined with a comma; use a full stop or conjunction. “When I explain everything” needs past tense (“explained”), and “I had shop many times” needs a past participle (“have shopped”). There are also missing articles or prepositions in “went back to store” and “return it to the store.” More accurate tense control and sentence boundaries, alongside varied but controlled structures, would improve the letter.

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