You took your family to a nearby restaurant. You were disappointed with the meal and wish to complain to the manager. Write a letter to the manager of the restaurant. In your letter, explain why you were at the restaurant describe the problems write about the action you want the manager to take
Sample Response
Dear Sir or Madam,
I am Leslie Aston, writing to express my disappointment with my recent dining experience at your restaurant. My family and I visited your establishment last Saturday evening to celebrate a special occasion, but unfortunately, our experience fell short of expectations. I am hoping that you will take proper action regarding this.
Upon arrival, we were greeted warmly by your staff and seated promptly. However, the problems began when we received our meals. The food was served cold and lacked the freshness and flavour we had anticipated. Additionally, several items were missing from our order, which further detracted from our dining experience.
As a loyal patron of your restaurant, I believe it is important to bring these issues to your attention. I understand that mistakes can happen, but the quality of our meal was unacceptable given the reputation of your establishment.
In light of these issues, I kindly request that you take appropriate action to address the shortcomings we experienced during our visit. This may include reviewing your kitchen procedures, ensuring proper food handling and preparation, and providing additional staff training to prevent similar incidents in the future.
I trust that you will take our feedback seriously and make the necessary improvements to maintain the high standards that your restaurant is known for. Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Yours faithfully,
Leslie Aston
IELTS Writing Correction
- 1. Specify occasion Original: a special occasion Suggested revision: my daughter’s birthday Why it matters: Naming the occasion would give the complaint more concrete context.
- 2. Specific remedy Original: take proper action Suggested revision: investigate the matter and respond with an appropriate remedy Why it matters: This is more precise than the broad phrase “proper action”.
- 3. Avoid stiffness Original: your establishment Suggested revision: your restaurant Why it matters: The simpler wording sounds formal enough and less stiff.
- 4. Smoother contrast Original: However, the problems began Suggested revision: However, our problems began Why it matters: This keeps the focus on the customer experience.
- 5. Direct complaint Original: fell short of expectations Suggested revision: was disappointing Why it matters: A more direct phrase can make the complaint clearer without sounding rude.
- 6. Name action Original: take appropriate action Suggested revision: offer a refund or voucher and review the kitchen procedures Why it matters: The task asks what action you want, so a concrete remedy strengthens the response.
- 7. Remove repetition Original: during our visit Suggested revision: Delete Why it matters: The visit has already been established, so this phrase is not necessary.
- 8. More precise close Original: make the necessary improvements Suggested revision: ensure these problems do not happen again Why it matters: This states the desired outcome more clearly.
- 9. Main verb Original: I am Leslie Aston, writing Suggested revision: My name is Leslie Aston, and I am writing Why it matters: This creates a smoother, fully grammatical opening.
- 10. Natural addition Original: Additionally, Suggested revision: In addition, Why it matters: Either form is acceptable, but “In addition” reads more formal in this complaint.
- 11. Sentence rewrite Original: My family and I visited your establishment last Saturday evening to celebrate a special occasion, but unfortunately, our experience fell short of expectations. Suggested revision: My family and I visited your restaurant last Saturday evening to celebrate my daughter’s birthday, but the meal was unfortunately disappointing. Why it matters: This gives a specific reason for the visit and states the problem more directly.
- 12. Sentence rewrite Original: I kindly request that you take appropriate action to address the shortcomings we experienced during our visit. Suggested revision: I would appreciate a refund or voucher, along with a review of the kitchen procedures that led to these problems. Why it matters: This makes the requested action more specific and customer-focused.
Suggested Rewrites
- a special occasion my daughter’s birthday
- take proper action investigate the matter and respond with an appropriate remedy
- your establishment your restaurant
- However, the problems began However, our problems began
- fell short of expectations was disappointing
- take appropriate action offer a refund or voucher and review the kitchen procedures
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Detailed feedback by IELTS writing criterion after the annotated essay.
Task Achievement
The complaint achieves its purpose clearly: it explains the visit, identifies concrete meal problems, and requests appropriate action. The only limitation is that the “special occasion” is not named, so the background could be slightly more specific.
Name the occasion and, if appropriate, add a clear customer remedy such as a refund, apology, or voucher.
Coherence and Cohesion
The response is well organised into clear paragraphs, with smooth progression from background to problem, impact, requested action, and closing. Cohesion is controlled and rarely intrusive.
Reduce slight repetition of “experience” and “establishment” to make the letter more concise.
Lexical Resource
Vocabulary is formal, precise, and well suited to a restaurant complaint, including “dining experience”, “detracted”, and “shortcomings”. A few phrases are generic or slightly formulaic.
Replace broad phrases like “proper action” with exact customer-service outcomes.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
Grammar is accurate across a good range of complex sentences. Minor improvements are possible in concision and punctuation, but errors do not impede communication.
Keep the same range while tightening long formal phrases that repeat the same idea.