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 you to complain about the Singer-MO3708G microwave oven that I purchased from your shop “kitchen corner” last month. I was excited to have purchased it but disappointed to find that it was poorly made and has manufacturing flaws. I am hoping you would either replace it or refund me the full amount. The main problem with the device is that its power system suddenly stops working. This must be a manufacturing fault. At first, I thought it was a connection problem with the power supply so I have it checked by a technician but it was not the case. Then I called your shop and talked to Mr Rex and he assured me that one of your technicians will visit my home within two days. To my utmost dismay, it has been 10 days since the conversation but no one from your shop showed up. The order number is 25254801 and I am attaching a copy of my receipt. I am looking for prompt action from you as I have a valid warranty for the product. Please send someone to replace the faulty product or agree to refund the amount that I have paid for the device. I hope to hear from you soon. Thank you in advance. Yours faithfully, Shadia Rahman
IELTS Writing Correction
- 1. Capitalise name Original: shop “kitchen corner” Suggested revision: shop, Kitchen Corner, Why it matters: A business name requires capitals and is better set off with commas.
- 2. Tense consistency Original: has manufacturing flaws Suggested revision: had a manufacturing defect Why it matters: The discovery occurred in the past, and singular 'defect' is more precise.
- 3. Modal choice Original: I am hoping you would Suggested revision: I hope you will Why it matters: This is a direct but polite request about the manager's future action.
- 4. Vague component Original: power system Suggested revision: power supply Why it matters: Power supply is the more natural term for the electrical function.
- 5. Causative tense Original: so I have it checked Suggested revision: so I had it checked Why it matters: The completed check requires past causative 'had'.
- 6. Clear reference Original: but it was not the case Suggested revision: but the technician ruled this out Why it matters: This makes the referent and result explicit.
- 7. Formal verb Original: talked to Mr Rex Suggested revision: spoke to Mr Rex Why it matters: 'Spoke to' is more suitable in a formal complaint.
- 8. Reported future Original: will visit my home Suggested revision: would visit my home Why it matters: After 'assured me', use future-in-the-past.
- 9. Avoid overstatement Original: utmost dismay Suggested revision: considerable disappointment Why it matters: This remains formal without sounding theatrical.
- 10. Present perfect Original: no one from your shop showed up Suggested revision: no one from your shop has arrived Why it matters: The period continues to the present, so present perfect is appropriate.
- 11. Specify the call Original: since the conversation Suggested revision: since I called on 10 June Why it matters: An exact date would answer the prompt's timing point more explicitly.
- 12. Complaint collocation Original: I am looking for prompt action Suggested revision: I request prompt action Why it matters: This is more direct and conventional in a formal letter.
Suggested Rewrites
- shop “kitchen corner” shop, Kitchen Corner,
- has manufacturing flaws had a manufacturing defect
- I am hoping you would I hope you will
- power system power supply
- so I have it checked so I had it checked
- but it was not the case but the technician ruled this out
Why this response received Band 7.0
The complaint has a clear purpose, covers the fault, the unsuccessful phone contact, purchase details, warranty, and the requested replacement or refund in an appropriately firm register. The main limitation is language control: tense sequencing, capitalisation, and several collocations are inaccurate, while the exact date of the phone call could be clearer. Prioritise precise chronology and consistently formal, idiomatic complaint language.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Detailed feedback by IELTS writing criterion after the annotated essay.
Task Achievement
All required points are addressed with relevant detail and a clear remedy, although the timing of the call is expressed only indirectly.
State the date or exact relative time of the phone call and keep the requested resolution unambiguous.
Coherence and Cohesion
The sequence from purchase and fault to phone call and requested action is easy to follow, but paragraphing is absent in the source presentation.
Group the opening, fault, failed service response, and remedy into distinct paragraphs.
Lexical Resource
Vocabulary is varied and suitably formal overall, with occasional awkward or imprecise collocations.
Use standard complaint phrases such as manufacturing defect, had it checked, lodged a complaint, and take prompt action.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
Complex sentences are generally controlled, but tense consistency and a few punctuation and capitalisation choices need correction.
Use past forms for completed events and future-in-the-past after the technician's promise.