You ordered a new chequebook from your bank two weeks ago but have received nothing. Write a letter to the manager complaining about the bad service. In your letter: - say when and how you ordered the chequebook - ask how much longer you will have to wait - ask what action the manager will take
Sample Response
Dear Sir or Madam, Not sure whether you would exactly like to read this letter, but I am left with no other choice but to take this matter to you. When I opened a bank account with your branch about a couple of weeks ago, I was told that I was entitled to receive a new chequebook, free of charge, within the next few days if I had applied for it. So, I filled out the application and submitted it on the same day. But unfortunately, I haven’t received anything as yet. By the way, I have even called your bank about this matter but no definitive answer was provided. Therefore, I would like to ask you how much longer I would need to wait to receive my new chequebook. I would also like to know what actions exactly you are going to take to expedite the process because I am really in need of some money now, and I just don’t see how possibly I could be able to withdraw any money from my bank account without those cheques. I will be waiting for your urgent response. Yours faithfully, Sonia Mirza
IELTS Writing Correction
- 1. Remove redundant qualifier Original: about a couple of weeks ago Suggested revision: a couple of weeks ago Why it matters: Using both 'about' and 'a couple of' makes the time reference unnecessarily imprecise.
- 2. Correct conditional tense Original: if I had applied for it Suggested revision: if I applied for one Why it matters: The simple past is appropriate for the condition described in this reported statement.
- 3. Use formal transition Original: By the way Suggested revision: In addition Why it matters: This transition links the previous contact more formally to the complaint.
- 4. Use future form Original: would Suggested revision: will Why it matters: The question concerns the remaining wait from the present time, so 'will' is clearer.
- 5. Correct word order Original: what actions exactly you are going to take Suggested revision: exactly what action you will take Why it matters: This is the natural word order for an embedded question.
- 6. Use precise formal wording Original: really in need of some money now Suggested revision: in urgent need of access to my funds Why it matters: The revision states the practical need more precisely and formally.
- 7. Remove awkward verb chain Original: don’t see how possibly I could be able to withdraw Suggested revision: do not see how I can withdraw Why it matters: The original combines several modal expressions and places the adverb unnaturally.
- 8. Sentence rewrite Original: Not sure whether you would exactly like to read this letter, but I am left with no other choice but to take this matter to you. Suggested revision: I am writing because I have been left with no other option but to bring this matter to your attention. Why it matters: The revision removes the fragment and expresses the complaint in an appropriately formal tone.
- 9. Sentence rewrite Original: I will be waiting for your urgent response. Suggested revision: I would appreciate your prompt response. Why it matters: The revised request is firm while maintaining a courteous formal register.
- 10. Separate letter stages Suggested revision: Divide the letter into an opening complaint, a paragraph describing the order and follow-up, and a final paragraph containing both requests. Why it matters: Clear paragraphing would make the sequence of the complaint and requested action easier to follow.
Suggested Rewrites
- about a couple of weeks ago a couple of weeks ago
- if I had applied for it if I applied for one
- By the way In addition
- would will
- what actions exactly you are going to take exactly what action you will take
- really in need of some money now in urgent need of access to my funds
Why this response received Band 7.0
The letter covers every requested point and uses a suitably formal complaint structure, with the timing, application method, wait-time question, and request for action all clear. Its main weakness is an occasionally confrontational or awkward tone, reinforced by some cumbersome phrasing and one-paragraph organisation. Prioritise a more measured opening and divide the content into clear purpose, background, and requested-action paragraphs.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Achievement
The purpose and all three bullet points are clearly addressed with relevant supporting detail, although the opening is unnecessarily confrontational.
Use a measured opening that states the service problem directly while maintaining a consistently professional tone.
Coherence and Cohesion
The information follows a logical sequence and cohesive devices generally clarify relationships, but presenting the whole letter as one paragraph weakens organisation.
Separate the purpose, background, and requested resolution into distinct paragraphs and reduce conversational transitions such as 'By the way'.
Lexical Resource
Vocabulary is varied and often precise, including effective formal choices such as 'entitled', 'definitive', and 'expedite', despite several awkward collocations.
Replace unnatural phrases such as 'take this matter to you' with concise, idiomatic formal wording.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
A good range of complex structures is used with generally strong control, though a few sentences become cumbersome or unnatural.
Simplify overextended constructions such as 'how possibly I could be able to withdraw' to improve grammatical precision.
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IELTS General Training Writing Task 1
You ordered a new chequebook from your bank two weeks ago but have received nothing. Write a letter to the manager complaining about the bad service. In your letter:
- say when and how you ordered the chequebook
- ask how much longer you will have to wait
- ask what action the manager will take
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.