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 this letter to express my disappointment with the induction stove that I purchased from your shop a couple of days ago. I found it in working condition initially, but then after a few hours of use, it malfunctioned. I contacted your shop and was assured a quick solution but nothing has been done since then. I am hoping you would replace it with a fresh one immediately. I was very excited to purchase it but disappointed to find that it had manufacturing flaws. While using the stove, I tried to increase the operating temperature. But I could not do so and it takes a much longer time than needed to cook anything. I am distressed that the sole purpose for its purchase failed and I ended up purchasing a faulty product. The invoice number is 254107 and I am attaching the receipt with this letter. I called the customer care officer of your store but he failed to propose any solution despite his assurance. It would be great if you could replace my faulty induction stove with a new one since it has a valid warranty for two years. I think this matter deserves your attention and so address this problem immediately. Looking forward to hearing from you soon. Yours faithfully, Nivetha Kumar
IELTS Writing Correction
- 1. Natural phrasing Original: I found it in working condition initially Suggested revision: It worked initially Why it matters: This is simpler and more idiomatic.
- 2. Add comma Original: but then after a few hours of use Suggested revision: but then, after a few hours of use, Why it matters: The inserted commas mark the time phrase clearly.
- 3. Passive clarity Original: was assured a quick solution Suggested revision: was assured that there would be a quick solution Why it matters: The passive needs a clearer complement.
- 4. Add call time Original: I contacted your shop Suggested revision: I contacted your shop the next morning Why it matters: The prompt asks when the writer phoned the shop, so a time reference is needed.
- 5. Product replacement Original: fresh one Suggested revision: new one Why it matters: 'New one' is more natural for replacing faulty equipment.
- 6. Singular issue Original: manufacturing flaws Suggested revision: a manufacturing fault Why it matters: The letter describes one product fault, so the singular phrase is more precise.
- 7. Natural comparison Original: it takes a much longer time than needed Suggested revision: it takes much longer than it should Why it matters: This is a more natural way to describe the cooking delay.
- 8. Unnatural phrase Original: the sole purpose for its purchase failed Suggested revision: the product failed to serve its main purpose Why it matters: The original phrase is awkward and abstract.
- 9. Service role Original: customer care officer Suggested revision: customer service representative Why it matters: This is the usual job title in this context.
- 10. Missing subject Original: and so address this problem immediately Suggested revision: and I hope you will address this problem immediately Why it matters: The clause needs a subject and finite verb.
- 11. Formal closing Original: Looking forward to hearing from you soon Suggested revision: I look forward to hearing from you soon Why it matters: The full sentence is better in a formal complaint.
- 12. Add call timing Original: I contacted your shop and was assured a quick solution but nothing has been done since then. Suggested revision: I phoned your shop the next morning and was assured that the problem would be solved quickly, but nothing has been done since then. Why it matters: This covers the 'when you phoned' bullet more explicitly.
Suggested Rewrites
- I found it in working condition initially It worked initially
- but then after a few hours of use but then, after a few hours of use,
- was assured a quick solution was assured that there would be a quick solution
- I contacted your shop I contacted your shop the next morning
- fresh one new one
- manufacturing flaws a manufacturing fault
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Detailed feedback by IELTS writing criterion after the annotated essay.
Task Achievement
The complaint identifies the induction stove, describes the fault, says the shop gave no solution, and requests a replacement under warranty. It responds well overall, but the prompt asks when the phone call happened and the answer only says it happened after purchase.
Add the exact day or date when you called the shop so every bullet point is clearly covered.
Coherence and Cohesion
The letter has a logical complaint sequence, but it is one paragraph and some sentence links are abrupt.
Use separate paragraphs for purchase details, fault and phone call, and requested remedy.
Lexical Resource
Vocabulary is generally strong for a complaint, including 'malfunctioned', 'invoice', and 'valid warranty'. Some phrases are unnatural or overgeneralised.
Use precise complaint collocations such as 'faulty appliance', 'customer service representative', and 'resolve the issue'.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
Most grammar is clear, though some sentences need smoother clause connection and modal control.
Check sentence endings and avoid joining requests with incomplete structures.