You recently bought a piece of equipment for your kitchen but it didn't 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 happens - when you phoned the shop - say what you would like the manager to do
Sample Response
Dear Sir or Madam,
I am writing with regard to an appliance that I recently bought from yourshop.
On the 10th May I bought a new washing machine, and it was installed the following day.
However, when I tried to wash some clothes, I noticed that the machine failed to spin during the washing cycle. Consequently, it leaves clothes wet but not clean.
When I phoned your shop to report the problem, I spoke to an assistant who did not know the procedure for repairs or returns. He assured me that he would report the issue to the store manager, and that I would be contacted the same day. That was two days ago, and I am still waiting for your call.
As the appliance is under warranty, I am entitled to ask for it to be repaired or replaced. I have decided that I would like a replacement washing machine. I Would also like you to phone me personally when you receive this letter.
I await your prompt response.
Yours faithfully,
IELTS Writing Correction
- 1. Use concise wording Original: with regard to Suggested revision: regarding Why it matters: A single formal preposition makes the opening more concise.
- 2. Correct date form Original: On the 10th May Suggested revision: On 10 May Why it matters: A written date in this form does not need the definite article or ordinal ending.
- 3. Name exact cycle Original: washing Suggested revision: spin Why it matters: The spin cycle precisely identifies the stage that is malfunctioning.
- 4. Use formal request Original: ask for it to be repaired or replaced Suggested revision: request that it be repaired or replaced Why it matters: This collocation is more natural in a formal complaint letter.
- 5. State request directly Original: I have decided that I would like Suggested revision: I would therefore like Why it matters: This wording connects the requested remedy directly to the warranty.
- 6. Fix capitalization Original: Would Suggested revision: would Why it matters: A word within a sentence should not begin with an unnecessary capital letter.
- 7. Use formal wording Original: phone me personally Suggested revision: contact me directly Why it matters: This phrase expresses the requested direct response more formally.
- 8. Specify call timing Suggested revision: State the exact date or time when you phoned the shop. Why it matters: A precise call time would develop the prompt’s requested timing detail more effectively.
- 9. Add your name Suggested revision: Write your full name beneath the sign-off. Why it matters: A name completes the formal letter and identifies the customer requesting action.
Suggested Rewrites
- with regard to regarding
- On the 10th May On 10 May
- washing spin
- ask for it to be repaired or replaced request that it be repaired or replaced
- I have decided that I would like I would therefore like
- Would would
Why this response received Band 8.0
This is a focused, professionally toned complaint that fully explains the fault, the unsuccessful call, and the requested remedy with clear supporting detail. The main limitation is limited to isolated presentation and precision lapses, such as the joined words, unnecessary capital letter, and the claim that a spin fault leaves clothes unclean; proofreading these small details and describing the malfunction’s consequence more exactly would produce an exceptionally polished letter.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Achievement
The letter fully addresses the malfunction, the earlier call and lack of action, and the desired replacement in a consistently appropriate formal register.
Describe the direct consequence of the spin-cycle fault with slightly greater technical accuracy.
Coherence and Cohesion
Ideas are sequenced naturally and each paragraph has a clear function, while cohesive devices guide the reader unobtrusively.
Maintain the same smooth progression while checking that every cause-and-effect link is precisely expressed.
Lexical Resource
Vocabulary is flexible, precise, and well suited to a formal complaint, with effective phrases concerning repairs, warranty, and entitlement.
Refine the phrase about clothes being “wet but not clean” so it states the actual result of the fault accurately.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
A wide range of sentence forms is used accurately, with only rare slips that have no effect on communication.
Proofread for minor mechanical errors such as “yourshop” and the unnecessary capitalisation in “I Would”.
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IELTS General Training Writing Task 1
You recently bought a piece of equipment for your kitchen but it didn't 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 happens
- when you phoned the shop
- say what you would like the manager to do
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.