IELTS General Task 1 Complaint Letter Model Answer

Sample prompt: You recently ordered a desk from an online furniture company. When it arrived, it was damaged and a part was missing. Write a letter to the company. In your letter, describe the problems with the desk, explain how these problems have affected you, and say what you would like the company to do. You do not need to write any addresses. This is a typical GT Task 1 on the IELTS test format (IELTS.org).

The reader is an unknown company representative, so formal or neutral professional language is suitable. The three content jobs are description, effect and request. A strong answer will identify the damaged area and missing part, explain why the desk cannot be used, and request a practical remedy with a reasonable time frame. Anger is not required to make the complaint clear. Score tone and bullet coverage with the IELTS Writing band descriptors (IELTS.org PDF).

Use Dear Sir or Madam when no name is provided, followed by a direct purpose paragraph. Then give one paragraph to each bullet. End with a polite expectation and Yours faithfully. If the prompt supplies a person's name, use Dear Mr or Ms plus the surname and Yours sincerely. These conventions should support clarity, not consume planning time.

A useful outline is: order details and purpose, condition on arrival, effect on work, requested replacement and collection, then closing. Add an order number or date to make the situation realistic, but do not overload the letter with invented paperwork. Every detail should help the company understand or resolve the complaint.

Model opening: Dear Sir or Madam, I am writing to complain about a Hartley desk, order number HF2741, which was delivered to my home on 14 August. Unfortunately, the item arrived in an incomplete and damaged condition. This opening identifies the product, order and date, then states the complaint. It is concise because the next paragraph will supply the evidence.

Model problem paragraph: The front-right corner of the desktop is split, with a crack extending approximately fifteen centimetres along the surface. In addition, the package did not contain the metal support bracket listed as part B in the assembly guide. Although the outer box was slightly crushed, the delivery driver left before I had finished checking the contents. The details are observable, consistent and easy for customer service to investigate.

Model effect paragraph: As the missing bracket is required to stabilise the frame, I have been unable to assemble the desk safely. I work from home three days a week and had disposed of my previous desk after receiving confirmation of the delivery. I have therefore had to work at a small kitchen table, which is unsuitable for my computer equipment. The paragraph explains a logical consequence rather than merely repeating disappointment.

Model request paragraph: I would like you to replace the complete desk rather than send the missing bracket, as the cracked surface is also unusable. Please arrange delivery of the replacement and collection of the damaged item within the next ten working days at no additional charge. I would be grateful if you could confirm these arrangements by email. The requested remedy is specific, realistic and easy to act on.

Possible closing: I look forward to receiving your response and a proposed delivery date. Yours faithfully, Daniel Reed. The closing does not introduce a threat or a new demand. It tells the company what reply is expected and follows the convention created by Dear Sir or Madam.

Useful formal combinations include arrived in a damaged condition, unable to assemble safely, at no additional charge, arrange collection, confirm these arrangements and within ten working days. Learn these as flexible chunks, but adapt them to the prompt. A complaint about a hotel, course or public service needs different nouns and effects. Copying furniture language into another context would not show control.

Close the model and reconstruct the five paragraph jobs in two minutes. Then use a new prompt: you attended a weekend training course, but the facilities and teaching did not match the advertisement. Describe the problems, explain how they affected your learning and request action. Create fresh details suited to education. Do not transplant the cracked desk or delivery language.

Write for twenty minutes, allowing three minutes to plan and three to check. Highlight one colour per bullet and underline tone markers. Check that the requested action is proportionate to the problem. After receiving feedback, rewrite only the weakest paragraph, then write a different formal letter several days later. The goal is to transfer coverage, organisation and tone, not reproduce a memorised model.