You recently went shopping at the local supermarket. When you got home and checked your bill, you found that you had been charged for items you did not purchase. Write a letter to the supermarket manager. In your letter: - explain what has happened - say how you feel about the error - say what you would like the manager to do about it
Sample Response
Dear Sir or Madam, I am Emma Ariana, a frequent shopper of your mega mall. Yesterday I went to your mall located in Rainbow Complex and purchased a few items. However, after I returned home and noticed my bill, I was bewildered as I was billed for items that I have not purchased! I hope you would rectify the error made by one of your employees. In relation to the specifics of the purchase, I bought a pair of sandals, a towel, a bottle of shampoo, a coffee mug, a box of chocolate, cat food, shower gel and some packeted foods, for which I have been billed and in addition 115 dollars for items I have not picked at all! My invoice number is MR8-C1254, dated 15th May 2025, and the invoice amount is $247. It shows that I have purchased a large flower vessel, a doormat and a water purifier! This must be a mistake! I was in a hurry and did not cross-check the items against the bill while checking out from the queue. But I am sure the salesgirl, whose name is Marinda, had made some sort of mistake while printing my invoice. I would like you to refund the extra amount next time I visit your shop and make sure this unwanted situation does not repeat. Yours faithfully, Emma Ariana
IELTS Writing Correction
- 1. Match the business type Original: your mega mall Suggested revision: your supermarket Why it matters: The task concerns a supermarket, while 'mega mall' describes a different type of business.
- 2. Use precise verb Original: noticed Suggested revision: checked Why it matters: 'Checked' clearly conveys that the writer reviewed the charges.
- 3. Use suitable complaint tone Original: bewildered Suggested revision: concerned Why it matters: 'Concerned' communicates dissatisfaction in a controlled formal tone.
- 4. Use standard transaction term Original: billed Suggested revision: charged Why it matters: 'Charged for' is the standard phrase for an incorrect amount on a bill.
- 5. Use past perfect Original: have Suggested revision: had Why it matters: The non-purchase occurred before the writer checked the bill.
- 6. Use appropriate future form Original: would Suggested revision: will Why it matters: 'Hope' normally takes 'will' for a requested future action.
- 7. Use concise transition Original: In relation to the specifics of the purchase Suggested revision: To provide the purchase details Why it matters: The shorter transition introduces the itemised information directly.
- 8. Use natural adjective Original: packeted Suggested revision: packaged Why it matters: 'Packaged' is the standard adjective for food sold in packets.
- 9. Correct amount phrase Original: in addition 115 dollars Suggested revision: an additional $115 Why it matters: The noun phrase needs an article, and the currency symbol presents the amount clearly.
- 10. Use purchase terminology Original: items I have not picked Suggested revision: items I did not purchase Why it matters: The issue is that the items were not bought, not merely that they were not picked up.
- 11. Use standard item name Original: vessel Suggested revision: vase Why it matters: 'Flower vase' is the conventional name for this household item.
- 12. Correct checkout phrase Original: checking out from the queue Suggested revision: checking out Why it matters: The action is described as 'checking out', without 'from the queue'.
Suggested Rewrites
- your mega mall your supermarket
- noticed checked
- bewildered concerned
- billed charged
- have had
- would will
Why this response received Band 7.0
The letter explains the billing problem thoroughly, gives precise invoice and item details, expresses understandable concern, and requests both a refund and prevention of recurrence. Its main limitation is tone: repeated exclamation marks and direct blame of a named employee sound more accusatory than necessary, while a few tense choices are inconsistent. Prioritise a calm, professional complaint that requests investigation before assigning responsibility.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Achievement
All three required points are fully addressed with specific evidence and a clear remedy, though the accusatory wording and exclamation marks slightly weaken the formal tone.
Ask the manager to investigate the discrepancy and issue a refund without assuming that a particular employee caused it.
Coherence and Cohesion
The letter progresses logically from the discovery to invoice evidence, explanation, and requested action, although the single dense paragraph and long purchase list reduce readability.
Use separate paragraphs for the problem, supporting invoice details, and requested resolution.
Lexical Resource
A good range of complaint and transaction vocabulary conveys the situation precisely, with only occasional awkward choices such as 'mega mall,' 'flower vessel,' and 'unwanted situation.'
Prefer neutral terms such as 'supermarket,' 'vase,' 'billing discrepancy,' and 'similar error.'
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
Most complex sentences are controlled and meaning is consistently clear, though tense sequencing and a few overloaded constructions contain errors.
Maintain past perfect where appropriate for unpurchased items and divide the long sentence listing purchases and extra charges.
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IELTS General Training Writing Task 1
You recently went shopping at the local supermarket. When you got home and checked your bill, you found that you had been charged for items you did not purchase. Write a letter to the supermarket manager. In your letter:
- explain what has happened
- say how you feel about the error
- say what you would like the manager to do about it
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.