IELTS Letters – Band 9

This is a model response to a Writing Task 1 topic from High Scorer’s Choice IELTS Practice Tests book series (reprinted with permission). This answer is close to IELTS Band 9.

Set 2 General Training book, Practice Test 8

Writing Task 1

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

You recently bought some food at a supermarket, but, when you got home, you found that the food was in bad condition. Write a letter to the manager of the supermarket.

– explain what happened to you
– give details of the day and time of the purchase
– ask the manager what he/she intends to do about your experience

You should write at least 150 words.

Dear Sir / Madam,

Sample Band 9 Letter

Dear Sir / Madam,

I am a regular customer at Nelly’s supermarket and have never experienced a lack of quality in your products. However, last week, I made a rather disappointing purchase at your store that I would like to complain about.

Last Friday, I purchased a series of products that proved to be very unacceptable in quality and condition. Firstly, a bag of mandarins were completely covered in mould. I could not see this when I was at the supermarket, as the bag was covered in advertisements and the mandarins were not visible. Furthermore, I bought three pineapples, two of which had worms in the middle when I cut them open at home. Lastly, two sets of Vanilla Yoghurt were also three weeks past their sell-by date. This did not actually cause a problem as they were still in a good condition, but I noticed this as I began to inspect everything after having detected the damaged mandarins and pineapples.

I made these purchases on Friday the 12th of October, at around 3pm in the afternoon and I would now like to know what you intend to do about this problem. Is there a possible refund or other means of compensation?

I am looking forward to hearing from you.

Kind Regards,
John Bloomsrock

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This is a model response to a Writing Task 1 topic from High Scorer’s Choice IELTS Practice Tests book series (reprinted with permission). This answer is close to IELTS Band 9.

Set 2 General Training book, Practice Test 7

Writing Task 1

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

You are the manager of a restaurant that has received a letter of complaint about poor service from a member of your staff. Write a letter of apology to the person who has complained.

– say how sorry you are that the person has had a poor experience
– explain what action has been taken against the staff member
– offer a free meal for four people at the restaurant as a gesture of goodwill

You should write at least 150 words.

Dear Mr. Smith,

Sample Band 9 Letter

Dear Mr. Smith,

I have received your letter of complaint regarding poor service from a member of staff at my restaurant, The Seaside Inn.

I would like to use this opportunity to express my sincere apology for this embarrassing and rare occurrence at my restaurant. The member of staff responsible for your inconvenience has been removed from the list of waiters and is now working in the kitchen department, where contact with guests is unlikely. He has also been educated to improve his attitude. The current staff have undergone training as well to avoid similar events in the future.

As a gesture of goodwill and as means of compensation, I would like to offer you a free meal for four people at my restaurant. You may use the enclosed voucher at any time and for any meal.

I hope to welcome you again as a guest at my restaurant.

Yours sincerely,

Katherine Hitchwell
Manager of The Seaside Inn

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