📮 IELTS Writing Task 1 General – Letter of Complaint Sample

In IELTS General Training Writing Task 1, one of the most common tasks is writing a formal complaint letter. You might need to complain about poor service, a faulty product, or an issue in your community. Your ability to describe the situation clearly, use appropriate tone, and suggest a solution is key to a high-scoring response.

📌 Structure of a Complaint Letter

• 📍 Salutation (Dear Sir/Madam or appropriate name)
• 📍 Purpose of the letter (stated clearly in the first paragraph)
• 📍 Detailed explanation of the problem
• 📍 Description of its impact
• 📍 Suggested resolution or request
• 📍 Closing line and sign-off

📝 Task Prompt

You recently ordered a product online but it arrived damaged. Write a letter to the company. In your letter:

• 📦 Describe the item and what was wrong with it
• 🔧 Explain what you want the company to do
• 📬 Say what action you will take if the company does not help

✉️ Strong Sample Letter

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing to formally complain about a laptop I recently purchased from your website, Order #A4987234, which arrived in damaged condition on April 22nd.

The product in question is a Dell Inspiron 15, which I ordered for professional use. Upon unboxing, I noticed that the screen was cracked and the power button was non-functional. The packaging appeared damaged as well, suggesting the issue may have occurred during transit.

This has caused significant disruption to my work, as I rely on a functioning laptop for client meetings and daily tasks. I expected a high-quality product, and I am disappointed with both the condition of the item and the lack of internal protection in the packaging.

I request that you arrange for a full replacement or a complete refund within the next seven days. Please also cover the return shipping cost, as the damage was not my responsibility.

If I do not receive a satisfactory response within one week, I will be forced to escalate the issue through my credit card provider’s dispute process and report the matter to online consumer protection authorities.

I hope you will resolve this issue promptly.

Yours faithfully,
Michael Jennings

✅ Useful Phrases for Complaint Letters

• 🔹 I am writing to express my dissatisfaction with...
• 🔹 I would appreciate it if you could...
• 🔹 This issue has caused serious inconvenience...
• 🔹 I expect a prompt resolution to this matter.
• 🔹 If I do not hear from you within [time], I will...

⚠️ Tone and Style Tips

• ✅ Use formal, polite language
• ✅ Be clear and factual — avoid emotional or rude language
• ✅ Use paragraphs to organize your response
• ✅ Stick to the three bullet points in the prompt
• ✅ Keep the word count between 150–180 words

🧪 Practice Prompts

• You booked a hotel room, but the facilities were not as advertised. Write a letter of complaint to the hotel manager.
• You ordered a service from a company but were unhappy with the results. Write a letter requesting a refund or solution.
• Your neighbor plays loud music late at night. Write a complaint letter to the building management.

Mastering the complaint letter format helps you feel confident in any General Training Task 1 situation where formal tone and clear communication are essential. Practice regularly and review model letters to improve your fluency and structure.

📣

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