You recently went shopping at the local supermarket. When you got home and checked your bill, you found that you had been charged for items you did not purchase. Write a letter to the supermarket manager. In your letter: - explain what has happened - say how you feel about the error - say what you would like the manager to do about it
Sample Response
Dear Sir or Madam, Yesterday I purchased a few products from your store. After I got back home and noticed the bill, I was surprised to find that I had been overcharged. I am hoping that you would take steps not to repeat such mistakes and return me the overcharged amount. In relation to the specifics of the bill, I went to your Daily Needs shop on 28th March 2025 at around 5.30 pm and purchased 6 items in total. I paid $230.50 for the items using my Master Card issued by City Bank. The invoice number is 28-462014 and I am attaching a copy of my receipt. The issue with the bill is that my actual invoice should have been 49.45 dollars less than the amount paid. The invoice indicates that I bought 9 items, which is a mistake. I have been charged for a pair of socks, a bottle of virgin olive oil and an air freshener which I never did purchase. As a solution, and because I am a loyal customer of your shop, I am hoping that you will agree to refund me the extra amount or adjust it with my next bill. Thank you for giving the matter your attention and I hope to hear your reply soon. Yours faithfully, Tommy Lee
IELTS Writing Correction
- 1. Remove redundancy Original: After I got back home Suggested revision: After I got home Why it matters: 'Back' is unnecessary because 'got home' already expresses the return.
- 2. Use correct action Original: noticed Suggested revision: checked Why it matters: A customer checks a bill to discover an error rather than merely noticing it.
- 3. Fix request tense Original: I am hoping that you would take Suggested revision: I hope that you will take Why it matters: 'Will' is appropriate for the action the writer wants the manager to take.
- 4. Fix prevention phrase Original: steps not to repeat such mistakes Suggested revision: steps to prevent such mistakes from recurring Why it matters: The store prevents mistakes from recurring; the steps themselves do not repeat them.
- 5. Use refund construction Original: return Suggested revision: refund Why it matters: 'Refund' is the correct verb for returning money to a customer.
- 6. Use concise transition Original: In relation to the specifics of the bill Suggested revision: Regarding the transaction details Why it matters: The replacement introduces the purchase information more directly and formally.
- 7. Format the time Original: 5.30 pm Suggested revision: 5:30 p.m. Why it matters: A colon and punctuated lowercase abbreviation provide a consistent formal time format.
- 8. Remove redundancy Original: purchased 6 items in total Suggested revision: purchased six items Why it matters: The stated quantity already conveys the total, and a small number is conventionally written as a word in prose.
- 9. Use general card term Original: using my Master Card Suggested revision: using my credit card Why it matters: The general term is sufficient and avoids an unnecessary brand-style reference.
- 10. Name the total Original: actual invoice should have been 49.45 dollars less Suggested revision: correct total should have been $49.45 lower Why it matters: An invoice is a document, while its total is the amount that can be lower.
- 11. Identify the payer Original: than the amount paid Suggested revision: than the amount I paid Why it matters: Adding the subject makes the comparison clearer and more direct.
- 12. Clarify the error Original: bought 9 items Suggested revision: was charged for nine items Why it matters: The problem is that the receipt lists nine charged items, not that the customer bought them.
Suggested Rewrites
- After I got back home After I got home
- noticed checked
- I am hoping that you would take I hope that you will take
- steps not to repeat such mistakes steps to prevent such mistakes from recurring
- return refund
- In relation to the specifics of the bill Regarding the transaction details
Why this response received Band 7.0
The letter's strongest feature is its precise account of the transaction, including the date, payment, invoice number, overcharge and three incorrect items, followed by a clear request for reimbursement. Its main weakness is presentation: the entire letter is compressed into one paragraph, and the writer's reaction is limited to being surprised. Prioritise separate paragraphs for the incident, impact and requested action, adding a concise statement of concern about billing accuracy.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Achievement
The incident and requested remedy are developed thoroughly in an appropriate formal tone, while the required explanation of feelings is present but very brief.
Add one sentence explaining concern or disappointment about the billing error while keeping the detailed refund request and supporting receipt information.
Coherence and Cohesion
The information follows a clear logical order, but presenting the salutation, full body and closing as one continuous paragraph weakens organisation and accessibility.
Use separate paragraphs for the purpose, transaction evidence, incorrect items, and requested refund or account adjustment.
Lexical Resource
The response uses a good range of precise transactional and complaint vocabulary, with occasional awkward collocations that do not obscure meaning.
Use 'checked the bill', 'refund the overcharged amount', 'the correct total was $49.45 lower' and 'credit it to my next bill'.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
A range of simple and complex structures is handled with generally good control, though modality, object patterns and a few relative constructions are awkward.
Prefer 'I hope that you will', 'refund the amount to me' and 'items that I did not purchase' for more accurate formal phrasing.
Write this task while it is fresh
Try the same task now. It helps you remember the feedback and write better next time.
IELTS General Training Writing Task 1
You recently went shopping at the local supermarket. When you got home and checked your bill, you found that you had been charged for items you did not purchase. Write a letter to the supermarket manager. In your letter:
- explain what has happened
- say how you feel about the error
- say what you would like the manager to do about it
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.