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.
In your letter,
– 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.
You do NOT need to write any addresses. Begin your letter as follows:
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
Go here for more IELTS Band 9 Letters
I have purchased some biscuits in your shop at Muzaffarpur but it has been expired,my son eaten it’s and he is suffering from Baily pain and vomiting.
Do needful.
I’ve just opened a tin of berms and sausages from your supermarket and still in date and full of mould and got the pictures if you want to see them
The sample in question letter does a good job of expressing the discontent that one could feel after making a grocery purchase. The subject is deftly handled by the author, and formal language usage is excellent.