You recently went to see a good play at a theatre, but you did not enjoy it because of some problems in the theatre. Write a letter to the manager of the theatre. In your letter: - say which play you saw and when - describe the problems you experienced in the theatre - suggest what the manager should do
Sample Response
Dear Sir or Madam, As an avid fan of theatre, I regularly watch the newest plays at your theatre. Unfortunately, my last visit was not very enjoyable, which is why I write. I recently went to the matinee show of The Garage Rockstar - specifically last Saturday, May 15. However, inside, a young couple were occupying my seats because of an apparent double-booking error. Before I could speak to the couple, the usher directed me to the front since the play was about to begin. My girlfriend and I complied as the seats seemed to be in a better part of the theatre. Unfortunately, we were wrong since the some side lighting was aimed our way, making it difficult to see properly and focus on the play. With today’s technology, double-booking errors should not occur. I suggest you review your system to determine what went wrong before it happens again. Ushers should also be instructed on what to do on such occasions. Had I been given options, I might have selected better seats than the ones given. Furthermore, the lighting should be set up correctly, not directed towards the audience, as this can be blinding and distracting. Better yet, perhaps your building needs an upgrade to more modern lighting systems to the benefit of all. I hope these problems will be addressed a soon as possible so that theatre enthusiasts can continue to enjoy the shows at your venue. Sincerely, Jeremy Cruise
IELTS Writing Correction
- 1. Use current-purpose tense Original: which is why I write Suggested revision: which is why I am writing Why it matters: The present continuous is more natural when stating the purpose of the current letter.
- 2. Remove awkward interruption Original: The Garage Rockstar - specifically last Saturday, May 15 Suggested revision: The Garage Rockstar last Saturday, May 15 Why it matters: The dash and ‘specifically’ unnecessarily interrupt the play-and-date information.
- 3. Clarify the transition Original: However, inside, Suggested revision: However, once inside, Why it matters: ‘Once inside’ connects the arrival at the theatre more clearly to the seating problem.
- 4. Remove extra determiner Original: the some side lighting Suggested revision: some side lighting Why it matters: ‘The’ and ‘some’ cannot both determine the same noun phrase here.
- 5. Fix the collocation Original: aimed our way Suggested revision: aimed at us Why it matters: The verb ‘aim’ requires ‘at’ before the person receiving the light.
- 6. Clarify the reference Original: before it happens again Suggested revision: before another double-booking occurs Why it matters: Naming the event removes the vague reference created by ‘it’.
- 7. Complete the passive phrase Original: the ones given Suggested revision: the ones we were given Why it matters: Adding the subject and auxiliary makes the reduced passive comparison fully explicit.
- 8. Improve the collocation Original: needs an upgrade to more modern lighting systems Suggested revision: needs to be upgraded with a more modern lighting system Why it matters: ‘Be upgraded with’ is a more natural collocation for replacing a building’s equipment.
- 9. Correct fixed phrase Original: a Suggested revision: as Why it matters: The fixed expression requires ‘as’ at both ends of the comparison.
- 10. Separate letter sections Suggested revision: Use separate paragraphs for the visit details, the problems, the requested actions, and the closing. Why it matters: Presenting every stage in one block weakens the otherwise clear progression of the formal letter.
Suggested Rewrites
- which is why I write which is why I am writing
- The Garage Rockstar - specifically last Saturday, May 15 The Garage Rockstar last Saturday, May 15
- However, inside, However, once inside,
- the some side lighting some side lighting
- aimed our way aimed at us
- before it happens again before another double-booking occurs
Why this response received Band 8.0
The letter is persuasive and professionally toned, with precise identification of the visit, a clear account of both problems, and practical remedies for booking, ushering, and lighting. Its main weakness is presentation: the whole response appears as a single paragraph, and a few small grammatical slips interrupt an otherwise fluent read. Divide the content into purposeful paragraphs and proofread for minor article and spelling errors.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Achievement
The letter fully addresses the visit, the seating and lighting problems, and several practical actions for the manager in an appropriately formal tone.
Make the requested outcome even more direct by stating whether a reply, apology, or compensation is expected.
Coherence and Cohesion
Information progresses logically from the visit to the problems and solutions, but the lack of paragraph breaks reduces structural clarity.
Use separate paragraphs for the visit details, each problem, the proposed remedies, and the closing request.
Lexical Resource
Vocabulary is varied, precise, and well suited to a formal complaint, with only isolated awkward wording.
Refine occasional combinations such as references to the lighting so every phrase is fully natural and economical.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
A wide range of complex structures is handled accurately, with only isolated article and spelling slips.
Proofread carefully to remove small errors such as redundant articles and mistyped fixed phrases.
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IELTS General Training Writing Task 1
You recently went to see a good play at a theatre, but you did not enjoy it because of some problems in the theatre. Write a letter to the manager of the theatre. In your letter:
- say which play you saw and when
- describe the problems you experienced in the theatre
- suggest what the manager should do
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.