You recently bought a piece of equipment for your kitchen but it did not work. You phoned the shop but no action was taken. Write a letter to the shop manager. In your letter: - describe the problem with the equipment - explain what happened - when you phoned the shop - say what you would like the manager to do
Sample Response
Dear Sir or Madam, I am writing to express my utter disappointment regarding the food factory device that I purchased from your shop a few days ago. I was very excited to purchase this kitchen appliance but disappointed to find that it was poorly made and has a manufacturing flaw. I visited your shop on 4th November and purchased a brand new Philips food factory that comes with two years warranty. However, to my sheer astonishment, when I unwrapped the box and tried to run the device, it did not work. I thoroughly checked all the connections as the problem could have been on my end but this was not the case. Immediately, I called the shop and complained about the faulty product. I also provided all the details the person on the other side of the phone requested. He assured me that a company representative will be visiting me in a couple of days and replace the product. But this has never proved to be true. The order number is 8541203 and I am attaching a copy of my receipt. I urge you to immediately address the issue and replace the faulty product with a new and fresh one. Yours faithfully, Mubashir Noorani
IELTS Writing Correction
- 1. Line break needed Original: Dear Sir or Madam, I am writing Suggested revision: Dear Sir or Madam, I am writing Why it matters: The greeting should be separated from the body.
- 2. Tone control Original: utter disappointment Suggested revision: deep disappointment Why it matters: Deep disappointment sounds more natural in a formal complaint.
- 3. Wrong product name Original: food factory device Suggested revision: food processor Why it matters: Food processor is the likely kitchen appliance; food factory is incorrect.
- 4. Product term Original: Philips food factory Suggested revision: Philips food processor Why it matters: Use the correct name of the appliance.
- 5. Warranty phrase Original: comes with two years warranty Suggested revision: came with a two-year warranty Why it matters: Use past tense and a hyphenated compound before warranty.
- 6. Overdramatic phrase Original: to my sheer astonishment Suggested revision: to my surprise Why it matters: This is more natural and still shows dissatisfaction.
- 7. Use appliance verb Original: tried to run the device Suggested revision: tried to switch on the device Why it matters: Switch on is more precise for equipment.
- 8. Formal phrase Original: on my end Suggested revision: at my end Why it matters: At my end is the standard phrase.
- 9. Missing relative word Original: the details the person Suggested revision: the details that the person Why it matters: Adding that makes the clause clearer.
- 10. Reported promise Original: will be visiting me Suggested revision: would visit me Why it matters: Use would after he assured me in reported speech.
- 11. Parallel verb Original: and replace the product Suggested revision: and would replace the product Why it matters: The second promised action should match would visit.
- 12. Natural replacement Original: new and fresh one Suggested revision: new one Why it matters: Fresh is not used for replacing equipment.
Suggested Rewrites
- Dear Sir or Madam, I am writing Dear Sir or Madam, I am writing
- utter disappointment deep disappointment
- food factory device food processor
- Philips food factory Philips food processor
- comes with two years warranty came with a two-year warranty
- to my sheer astonishment to my surprise
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Detailed feedback by IELTS writing criterion after the annotated essay.
Task Achievement
The letter describes the faulty kitchen equipment, explains the phone call and broken promise, and asks for replacement. It covers the task well, though the product name and requested remedy could be more precise.
Name the appliance accurately and state whether you want a replacement, repair, or refund by a specific date.
Coherence and Cohesion
The sequence is clear, but the response is one long paragraph and could be easier to follow with separate sections.
Use paragraphs for purchase details, fault description, phone complaint, and requested action.
Lexical Resource
Vocabulary is suitable for a complaint, but several phrases are unnatural, including food factory, sheer astonishment, and new and fresh one.
Use precise consumer-complaint wording such as food processor, faulty appliance, replacement, and under warranty.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
Grammar is mostly clear, with some tense and verb-form errors, especially around reported promises and warranty phrasing.
Check tense after assured me that and use present perfect for unresolved problems.