Two weeks ago you bought a radio from a local branch of a well-known chain shop. It did not work properly. The shop took it back and said they would repair it. You have waited a week and still, it is not ready. Write a letter to the shop to complain about it. In your letter: - explain what has happened - how you feel about it - ask them to repair the radio soon or supply you with a new radio
Sample Response
Dear Sir or Madam, Two weeks ago I purchased a radio from your store. I was excited to purchase it but disappointed to find that it was faulty. I returned the product with the hope that you would either replace it or repair it but to my dismay, nothing has been done so far. I am hoping that you would either replace or repair it within the next three days. In relation to the specifics of the order, I bought the radio from your shop from the Blue street branch. But, it was an utter disappointment when the brand new radio was not working as it should have been. The issue with the radio is that it does not tune in to the common channels except for one or two. I talked to your representatives in the shop and they agreed to repair it within a couple of days. Now, it has been a week and the radio is not yet ready. Whenever I call the shop, one of your salesmen promises to deliver the radio within a day. But it is not done yet and all I got is an apology and regret. The order number is 587416 and I am attaching a copy of my receipt. As a solution, and because I really like the functionality of the radio, please repair the radio within the next three days or replace it with a new one. Otherwise, I will be forced to complain to higher management. Thank you for giving the matter your attention and I hope to hear your reply soon. Yours faithfully, Mansoor Abedi
IELTS Writing Correction
- 1. Line break needed Original: Dear Sir or Madam, Two weeks ago Suggested revision: Dear Sir or Madam, Two weeks ago Why it matters: Separate the salutation from the body.
- 2. Branch detail Original: from your store Suggested revision: from your Blue Street branch Why it matters: The task mentions a local branch, so include the branch detail early.
- 3. Natural order Original: either replace or repair it Suggested revision: either repair or replace it Why it matters: This is the more common order for a faulty item.
- 4. Concise phrase Original: In relation to the specifics of the order Suggested revision: Regarding the order details Why it matters: The original is wordy.
- 5. Repeated preposition Original: from your shop from the Blue street branch Suggested revision: from your Blue Street branch Why it matters: Avoid repeating from and capitalize the street name.
- 6. Hyphen needed Original: the brand new radio Suggested revision: the brand-new radio Why it matters: Use a hyphen before the noun.
- 7. Radio term Original: common channels Suggested revision: main stations Why it matters: Stations is more natural for a radio.
- 8. Verb pattern Original: tune in to Suggested revision: tune in to any of Why it matters: This clarifies the object of the verb.
- 9. Formal transition Original: But it is not done yet Suggested revision: However, it has not been done yet Why it matters: This is smoother and more formal.
- 10. Tense and noun Original: all I got is an apology and regret Suggested revision: all I have received is an apology Why it matters: Use present perfect for the period up to now; regret is not something the customer receives.
- 11. Natural wording Original: because I really like the functionality Suggested revision: because I like the model Why it matters: The original sounds awkward.
- 12. Formal phrase Original: complain to higher management Suggested revision: raise the matter with senior management Why it matters: This sounds more professional.
Suggested Rewrites
- Dear Sir or Madam, Two weeks ago Dear Sir or Madam, Two weeks ago
- from your store from your Blue Street branch
- either replace or repair it either repair or replace it
- In relation to the specifics of the order Regarding the order details
- from your shop from the Blue street branch from your Blue Street branch
- the brand new radio the brand-new radio
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Detailed feedback by IELTS writing criterion after the annotated essay.
Task Achievement
The letter explains the faulty radio, the shop’s failure to repair it, the writer’s dissatisfaction, and the requested repair or replacement. The task is fully addressed.
Keep the strong complaint content, but make the tone more consistently formal and avoid repeated information.
Coherence and Cohesion
The progression is clear, but the single-block layout and some repeated points make the letter visually dense.
Divide it into paragraphs for purchase history, repair delay, feelings, and requested solution.
Lexical Resource
Vocabulary is appropriate for a complaint, with useful phrases such as to my dismay, order number, and replace it with a new one. Some expressions are unnatural or repetitive.
Use more precise phrases such as local branch, tune in to stations, and all I have received is an apology.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
Grammar is generally clear, but there are issues with articles, tense, word order, and subject-verb agreement.
Proofread complaint sentences for correct articles and present perfect forms.