You work at home and have a problem with a piece of equipment that you use for your job. Write a letter to the shop or company which supplied the equipment. In your letter: - describe the problem with the equipment - explain how this problem is affecting your work - say what you want the shop or company to do
Sample Response
Dear Sir or Madam, I am writing to complain about a Wireless Router that I purchased from your store a few months ago. Unfortunately, it has suddenly stopped working and I am unable to connect to the Internet and work from home. I am hoping that you would replace or repair it immediately. The Netgear - AC1750 Dual-Band Wi-Fi Router that I purchased from you was operational until the end of last week but it is not working at the moment. I cannot find out the exact reason why the device is malfunctioning, but I have tried to do some initial diagnostics without any luck. I tried a similar router that I borrowed from a friend and it worked as expected.
I work from home as a freelancer and my work depends on an uninterrupted Internet connection. I have several ongoing projects and I must meet the deadlines to retain my client base. As you can see, I am totally dependent on this equipment to get connected to the Internet, so I need to get this router fixed immediately. I suggest that you either replace the device with a new one or repair it within the next two days. Thank you for giving the matter your attention and I hope to hear your reply soon. Yours faithfully, Denis Brian
IELTS Writing Correction
- 1. Use lowercase common noun Original: a Wireless Router Suggested revision: a wireless router Why it matters: Wireless router is a common noun and does not require capitals.
- 2. Use request tense Original: I am hoping that you would Suggested revision: I hope that you will Why it matters: Hope takes will rather than would for this direct future request.
- 3. Remove spaced hyphen Original: Netgear - AC1750 Suggested revision: Netgear AC1750 Why it matters: The model name does not need a spaced hyphen between the brand and model number.
- 4. Use concise diagnosis phrase Original: find out the exact reason why Suggested revision: determine exactly why Why it matters: The replacement expresses the diagnostic uncertainty more concisely.
- 5. Use natural technical phrase Original: tried to do some initial diagnostics Suggested revision: performed some initial diagnostic checks Why it matters: Perform diagnostic checks is the standard collocation.
- 6. Use formal complaint wording Original: without any luck Suggested revision: without success Why it matters: Without success is more suitable for a formal complaint.
- 7. Use direct connection verb Original: get connected to the Internet Suggested revision: connect to the Internet Why it matters: The direct verb is clearer and more concise.
- 8. Use formal repair phrase Original: get this router fixed Suggested revision: have this router repaired Why it matters: Have the router repaired is more precise in a formal request.
- 9. Use correct reply phrase Original: hear your reply Suggested revision: hear from you Why it matters: English uses hear from someone, not hear a reply from them.
Suggested Rewrites
- a Wireless Router a wireless router
- I am hoping that you would I hope that you will
- Netgear - AC1750 Netgear AC1750
- find out the exact reason why determine exactly why
- tried to do some initial diagnostics performed some initial diagnostic checks
- without any luck without success
Why this response received Band 8.0
The letter has a direct purpose, explains the fault and its impact convincingly, and makes a specific, appropriately firm request for repair or replacement. Its main limitation is some repetition of the same ideas and nouns, together with a few awkward request and closing expressions. The highest-priority improvement is to streamline the first paragraph and use more natural formal phrasing, while retaining the strong supporting detail about deadlines and clients.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Detailed feedback by IELTS writing criterion after the annotated essay.
Task Achievement
The problem, its effect on work, and the requested remedy are all clearly and fully developed in an appropriate formal tone.
Add a purchase reference or warranty detail to make the requested action even more practical and precise.
Coherence and Cohesion
The letter progresses clearly from the fault to its consequences and the requested solution, though some information is repeated.
Condense the repeated statements about the failed connection and place the repair deadline in a short final request paragraph.
Lexical Resource
A strong range of precise vocabulary describes the equipment, troubleshooting, work obligations, and desired remedy.
Reduce repetition of 'Internet', 'work', and 'router', and replace 'hear your reply' with the more natural 'hear from you'.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
A wide range of complex sentences is used with strong control, and the few awkward constructions do not impede meaning.
Use the more direct formal request 'I hope you will repair or replace it' instead of 'I am hoping that you would'.
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IELTS General Training Writing Task 1
You work at home and have a problem with a piece of equipment that you use for your job. Write a letter to the shop or company which supplied the equipment. In your letter:
- describe the problem with the equipment
- explain how this problem is affecting your work
- say what you want the shop or company to do
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.