When people need to complain about a product or poor service, some prefer to complain in writing and others prefer to complain in person. Which method do you think is more effective? Why?
Sample Response
We all want to get the best out of the money we pay for a product or service. But in the real world, we do not always get what we wish or pay for, and that is why we need to lodge complaints. Whether written or in-person complaints are more effective is debatable. I believe both have their advantages and should be decided upon based on situations and personal preferences.
On the one hand, complaining in writing has many benefits. First of all, one does not have to spend precious time driving, waiting for his or her turn and talking with a representative. They can just send mail or e-mail and get all explanation they need. Secondly, I think it is the best way to avoid an unpleasant conversation. Finally, sometimes it is impossible to have a face-to-face conversation because a company which provided a poor product or service is too far away. In such situations, written complaints are more effective.
On the other hand, complaining in person has some benefits too. First, this type of complaining provides immediate feedback. So, if I have some complaints about a company's products, I will receive all information and explanation right away. However, sending a company a letter and getting feedback can take more than a week, and in some cases, more than a month. Secondly, face-to-face conversation is often more effective. People talk to each other and notice facial gestures and body movements, which can tell a lot about a person. In addition to these practical benefits, in case, one can not receive a credible explanation from one representative, he always can require to talk to another person. For instance, one of my cousins recently purchased a product from an online store. Even after writing two times, he was not contacted by the company. When he went to talk to the company in person and took the faulty product with him, he received an immediate replacement with no questions asked. So in this regard, an in-person complaint was more effective.
In my opinion, we should not stick to a single approach when it comes to complaining and decide which method to use based on the situation, company policy and our personal preference. This way, we will get the best possible results.
In conclusion, I think that if we have to complain about a product or poor service, sometimes we should decide that based on the situation, our preference and company policy rather than following a single approach always. This way we will get the best result.
IELTS Writing Correction
- 1. Clarify the comparison Original: get what we wish or pay for Suggested revision: get what we expect for what we pay Why it matters: This wording makes the relationship between payment and expectations clearer.
- 2. Use parallel phrasing Original: written or in-person complaints Suggested revision: complaints made in writing or in person Why it matters: The revised phrase compares the two methods in a more natural parallel form.
- 3. Fix the subject logic Original: should be decided upon Suggested revision: the choice should be made Why it matters: The methods themselves are not decided; the writer makes a choice between them.
- 4. Use natural phrasing Original: based on situations Suggested revision: based on the situation Why it matters: The singular phrase is the natural expression for choosing according to current circumstances.
- 5. Use countable nouns Original: send mail or e-mail Suggested revision: send a letter or an email Why it matters: A specific written complaint is more naturally described with countable nouns.
- 6. Fix noun number Original: all explanation they need Suggested revision: all the explanations they need Why it matters: Explanation is countable here and needs a determiner and plural form.
- 7. Improve relative clause Original: a company which provided Suggested revision: the company that provided Why it matters: The definite article and that identify the particular company responsible for the service.
- 8. Fix noun forms Original: all information and explanation Suggested revision: all the information and explanations Why it matters: Information is uncountable, while explanation needs a plural form in this context.
- 9. Use the correct term Original: gestures Suggested revision: expressions Why it matters: Facial expressions is the standard term for visible changes in a person's face.
- 10. Fix the condition Original: in case, one can not receive Suggested revision: if one cannot receive Why it matters: If correctly introduces this condition, and cannot is written as one word.
- 11. Use a natural verb Original: he always can require Suggested revision: one can always ask Why it matters: Ask to talk is the natural construction, and one maintains consistent reference.
- 12. Use the adverb Original: writing two times Suggested revision: writing twice Why it matters: Twice is the natural adverb for an action performed two times.
Suggested Rewrites
- get what we wish or pay for get what we expect for what we pay
- written or in-person complaints complaints made in writing or in person
- should be decided upon the choice should be made
- based on situations based on the situation
- send mail or e-mail send a letter or an email
- all explanation they need all the explanations they need
Why this response received Band 7.0
The response gives a clear, nuanced comparison of the two complaint methods, with logical reasons and a relevant example supporting its position. Its main limitation is that the final two paragraphs repeat the same conclusion, while several awkward grammatical and lexical choices reduce precision. The highest-priority improvement is to state the situational preference once, then use the saved space to sharpen the comparison between the methods.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Response
The response addresses both methods directly, maintains a clear situational position, and develops its reasoning with relevant explanation and an effective example.
Make the final judgement more explicitly comparative by specifying the circumstances in which each method is most effective.
Coherence and Cohesion
Ideas progress logically through well-focused paragraphs, although the separate opinion and conclusion paragraphs create unnecessary repetition.
Combine the repeated final points into one concise conclusion and use referencing to reduce repeated wording.
Lexical Resource
The vocabulary is varied and generally appropriate, with some effective topic language alongside occasional awkward collocations.
Improve precision by replacing expressions such as receiving all explanation and writing two times with natural collocations.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
A range of simple and complex structures communicates meaning clearly, but errors in articles, pronoun reference, and verb patterns recur.
Review agreement and verb complementation in longer sentences, especially constructions using one, they, require, and talk.
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IELTS Writing Task 2
When people need to complain about a product or poor service, some prefer to complain in writing and others prefer to complain in person. Which method do you think is more effective? Why?
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.