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 a regular customer of your restaurant “The Bay Leaf" and visited the place with my wife to celebrate our 1st marriage anniversary on 10th February. But the meal quality was upsetting and it ruined our celebration spirit. I would like you to take the necessary steps to improve the food quality to retain your reputation. I often visit your restaurant due to a laudable ambience, hygiene, staff behaviour and above all the food quality. But, last night it was a big disappointment. I had my table booked well in advance but it was allocated to someone else, which is not acceptable as it hurts customers' faith in your service. Moreover, the meal was less than average. The first course of sea trout was tasteless and salty. We mentioned that the duck was undercooked but no comment or apology was made at the time. To add more grief, my wife's duck had a large piece of gristle in it which was a shame. Besides, our steward was not very effusive or communicative, and he appeared to be going through the motions as quickly as possible. I am a regular customer of your restaurant and if this is what you are going to continue in future, then I will have to find a different place for family occasions. Please offer the best possible meals, dining experience and efficient waiters to your customers. Yours faithfully, Gagan Bhatia
IELTS Writing Correction
- 1. Smoother contrast Original: meal quality was upsetting Suggested revision: meal quality was disappointing Why it matters: This is more natural and formal.
- 2. Natural phrase Original: celebration spirit Suggested revision: celebratory mood Why it matters: This is the standard collocation.
- 3. Word choice Original: laudable ambience Suggested revision: pleasant ambience Why it matters: “Laudable” does not fit ambience naturally.
- 4. Formal transition Original: But, last night Suggested revision: However, last night Why it matters: This is smoother in a formal letter.
- 5. Formal wording Original: a big disappointment Suggested revision: a major disappointment Why it matters: This is more formal.
- 6. Fixed phrase Original: less than average Suggested revision: below average Why it matters: Use the standard expression.
- 7. Service phrase Original: no comment or apology was made Suggested revision: no explanation or apology was offered Why it matters: This sounds more natural.
- 8. Wrong idiom Original: To add more grief Suggested revision: To make matters worse Why it matters: Use the standard idiom.
- 9. Formal tone Original: which was a shame Suggested revision: which was unacceptable Why it matters: This suits a complaint better.
- 10. Service word Original: not very effusive or communicative Suggested revision: not very attentive or communicative Why it matters: “Attentive” fits restaurant service.
- 11. Formal wording Original: going through the motions Suggested revision: serving us mechanically Why it matters: This keeps the meaning in formal language.
- 12. Article needed Original: continue in future Suggested revision: continue in the future Why it matters: Add “the” in this time phrase.
Suggested Rewrites
- meal quality was upsetting meal quality was disappointing
- celebration spirit celebratory mood
- laudable ambience pleasant ambience
- But, last night However, last night
- a big disappointment a major disappointment
- less than average below average
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Detailed feedback by IELTS writing criterion after the annotated essay.
Task Achievement
The complaint explains the visit, describes food and service problems, and requests improvement. The requested action is relevant but broad.
Keep the relevant content, then revise the wording and organisation points highlighted in the essay comments.
Coherence and Cohesion
The ideas are logical, but the one-paragraph format and abrupt “But” transitions reduce polish.
Use clearer paragraphing and smoother links so each bullet point is easy to follow.
Lexical Resource
Vocabulary is varied, though some choices are overformal or unnatural for a restaurant complaint.
Prefer natural collocations and precise topic vocabulary over overformal or translated-sounding phrases.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
Grammar is controlled overall, with minor article, punctuation and phrasing issues.
Proofread tense, articles, prepositions and sentence boundaries before submitting.