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 brand new Revo radio from your store on Baker Street. I was excited to have it but very disappointed to find that the product was poorly produced and unusable. Even after I returned it to your store last Monday to claim the warranty, I have not heard anything yet. I am hoping you will either repair or replace it. In relation to the specifics of the order, I purchased this Revo Super Signal Deluxe AM/FM Radio from one of your Revo brand shops on August 17th using cash. The order number is 9542105 and I am attaching a copy of my receipt. The issue with the radio is that I am unable to tune in to any FM radio channel and the sound quality is poor. I’m sure this is a manufacturing flaw. As a solution, and because I really like the model and functionality of this radio, I am hoping that you will agree to repair the issues or provide me with a fresh one. Otherwise, I would like a full refund and I will be contacting the Consumer Rights Bureau if I do not hear back from you in regards to this within a week. Thank you for giving the matter your attention and I hope to hear your reply soon. Yours faithfully, Robert Henry
IELTS Writing Correction
- 1. Introductory comma Original: Two weeks ago I purchased Suggested revision: Two weeks ago, I purchased Why it matters: A comma after the time phrase improves readability.
- 2. Hyphenate compound Original: brand new Revo radio Suggested revision: brand-new Revo radio Why it matters: The compound adjective before a noun is normally hyphenated.
- 3. Complaint term Original: poorly produced and unusable Suggested revision: defective and unusable Why it matters: 'Defective' is a more precise complaint word.
- 4. Clearer sequence Original: Even after I returned it Suggested revision: Although I returned it Why it matters: This makes the contrast smoother.
- 5. Payment preposition Original: on August 17th using cash Suggested revision: on August 17th, paying in cash Why it matters: The payment detail needs smoother grammar.
- 6. Concise fault Original: I am unable to tune in to any FM radio channel Suggested revision: I cannot tune in to any FM radio channel Why it matters: This is shorter and equally formal.
- 7. Replacement wording Original: provide me with a fresh one Suggested revision: provide me with a new one Why it matters: 'New one' is more natural for a replacement item.
- 8. Clear alternative Original: Otherwise, I would like a full refund Suggested revision: If that is not possible, I would like a full refund Why it matters: The alternative remedy becomes more explicit.
- 9. Correct phrase Original: in regards to this Suggested revision: regarding this matter Why it matters: 'Regarding' is more formal and 'in regard to' is the standard singular form.
- 10. Natural closing Original: Thank you for giving the matter your attention Suggested revision: Thank you for giving this matter your attention Why it matters: Use 'this matter' to refer clearly to the complaint.
- 11. Specific deadline Original: within a week Suggested revision: within seven days Why it matters: A formal complaint often benefits from a precise deadline.
- 12. Closing format Original: Yours faithfully, Robert Henry Suggested revision: Yours faithfully, Robert Henry Why it matters: The name should usually appear on a new line.
Suggested Rewrites
- Two weeks ago I purchased Two weeks ago, I purchased
- brand new Revo radio brand-new Revo radio
- poorly produced and unusable defective and unusable
- Even after I returned it Although I returned it
- on August 17th using cash on August 17th, paying in cash
- I am unable to tune in to any FM radio channel I cannot tune in to any FM radio channel
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Detailed feedback by IELTS writing criterion after the annotated essay.
Task Achievement
The letter clearly explains the purchase, the repair delay, the writer's frustration, and the requested repair, replacement, or refund. The complaint is complete and appropriately firm.
Add the exact date the shop took the radio back if possible, so the timeline is fully precise.
Coherence and Cohesion
The sequence is clear and the complaint develops logically, but the single-paragraph presentation makes a formal letter less easy to scan.
Use paragraphs for purchase details, the unresolved repair, and the requested remedy with deadline.
Lexical Resource
The letter uses effective complaint vocabulary such as 'manufacturing flaw', 'warranty', and 'full refund'. Some phrases can be made more concise and formal.
Replace informal or wordy phrases with complaint-letter collocations such as 'defective', 'under warranty', and 'regarding this matter'.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
Grammar is strong overall, with minor issues in punctuation, prepositions, and clause length.
Check commas after introductory time phrases and avoid informal phrases such as 'in regards to'.