Your company has sent you for a course abroad General Letter

Band 4-5 Sample (Limited Response, Many Errors)

Dear Manager,

I am writing this letter because I buyed a phone from your shop last week. Now it not working. The phone is Samsung Galaxy S23 and I payed 800 dollars for it. When I take it home, I see the screen is broken and it cannot turn on. I try charging but nothing happen. I am very angry because this is big problem for me.

I want you to give me new phone or give my money back. I still have the box and receipt so you can check. Please do this fast because I need phone for my work. If you not help me, I will tell everyone about your bad shop.

I hope you reply soon.
Your customer,
[Name]

Strengths:
✔ Addresses the main issue (faulty phone).
✔ Includes some key details (model, price, receipt).

Weaknesses:
✖ Poor grammar & vocabulary (“buyed,” “payed,” “not working”).
✖ Informal & aggressive tone (“I am very angry,” “bad shop”).
✖ No clear structure (no separate paragraphs for problem, request, expectation).
✖ Lacks politeness (sounds demanding rather than formal).

Band 5-6 Sample (Basic Response, Some Errors)

Letter:
Dear Sir/Madam,

I am writing to complain about a Samsung Galaxy S23 phone that I purchased from your store on 10th June 2024. The phone cost $800, but after two days, it stopped working. The screen became black, and it does not respond when I press the power button. I tried charging it, but there was no improvement.

I am very disappointed because I bought this phone for my job, and now I cannot use it. I still have the receipt and original packaging. I would like you to replace the phone with a new one or refund my money. This is a serious problem for me, and I hope you will solve it quickly.

Please let me know what you will do about this issue. I expect your reply within 3 days. You can contact me at 123-456-7890 or [email protected].

Yours faithfully,
Sarah Johnson

Strengths:
✔ Clear purpose & basic structure (problem, request, expectation).
✔ Includes key details (date, model, price, receipt).

Weaknesses:
✖ Grammar & vocabulary still basic (“became black,” “solve it quickly”).
✖ Tone is polite but lacks sophistication (could use more formal phrasing).
✖ No advanced linking words (e.g., “furthermore,” “therefore”).

Band 6-7 Sample (Competent Response, Minor Errors)

Letter:
Dear Customer Service Manager,

I am writing to formally complain about a defective Samsung Galaxy S23 that I purchased from your store on 10th June 2024 for $800. Unfortunately, within two days of use, the device malfunctioned—the screen froze and later turned completely black. Despite multiple attempts to restart and charge it, the phone remains unresponsive.

Since the phone is under warranty and I have retained the receipt and original packaging, I kindly request a replacement unit or a full refund. This issue has caused significant inconvenience, as I rely on the phone for both work and personal communication.

I would appreciate it if you could resolve this matter within the next 5 business days. Please confirm via email ([email protected]) or phone (123-456-7890) once the replacement or refund is processed. I trust your company values customer satisfaction and will address this issue promptly.

I look forward to your immediate action.
Yours sincerely,
Scarlet

Strengths:
✔ Clear structure & good coherence (problem, impact, request, expectation).
✔ Formal tone & polite phrasing (“I kindly request,” “I would appreciate”).
✔ Includes all necessary details (date, model, warranty, contact info).

Weaknesses:
✖ Minor grammar issues (e.g., “froze and later turned” could be smoother).
✖ Could use more advanced vocabulary (e.g., “defective” instead of “not working”).
✖ No complex sentence structures (mostly simple/compound sentences).

Band 7-8 Sample (Strong Response, Few Errors)

Letter:
Dear Customer Relations Manager,

I am writing to formally express my dissatisfaction with a Samsung Galaxy S23 smartphone (purchased on 10th June 2024 for $800 from your store) that has proven to be defective. Regrettably, within 48 hours of purchase, the device exhibited severe technical issues—the screen became unresponsive, and subsequently, it failed to power on despite repeated troubleshooting attempts.

As the phone is still under warranty and I possess the original receipt and packaging, I respectfully insist on either a replacement device or a full refund. This malfunction has disrupted my professional commitments, as I heavily depend on the phone for business communications.

Given the circumstances, I expect this matter to be resolved within 5 working days. Kindly notify me via email ([email protected]) or phone (123-456-7890) regarding the proposed solution. I trust that your company, which has a reputation for excellent customer service, will handle this issue with urgency and professionalism.

I appreciate your prompt attention to this matter.
Yours sincerely,
[Name]

Strengths:
✔ Sophisticated vocabulary & phrasing (“exhibited severe technical issues,” “respectfully insist”).
✔ Strong structure & coherence (clear problem, impact, demand, expectation).
✔ Formal & persuasive tone (appeals to company reputation).

Weaknesses:
✖ Very minor redundancy (e.g., “subsequently, it failed to power on” could be tighter).
✖ Could use 1-2 complex sentences (e.g., conditional clauses).

Band 8-9 Sample (Excellent Response, Near-Native)

Letter:
Dear Customer Service Director,

I am writing to formally lodge a complaint regarding a faulty Samsung Galaxy S23 (purchased from your store on 10th June 2024, receipt attached) that ceased functioning within 48 hours of use. Despite following all troubleshooting procedures—including resetting and charging the device—the screen remains blank, rendering the phone inoperable. Given that this is a high-end device for which I paid $800, such premature failure is unacceptable.

Since the product is under warranty and I have retained all original packaging, I expect either an immediate replacement or a full refund. This issue has not only inconvenienced me but also jeopardized time-sensitive work projects, as I rely on the phone for critical communications.

To expedite resolution, I would appreciate written confirmation of the corrective action within 3 business days. Please contact me at your earliest convenience via email ([email protected]) or phone (123-456-7890) to arrange the return or exchange. Given your company’s esteemed reputation, I trust this matter will be prioritized accordingly.

Thank you for your prompt attention to this serious concern.
Yours sincerely,
[Name]

Strengths:
✔ Flawless grammar, vocabulary & tone (“lodged a complaint,” “premature failure,” “jeopardized”).
✔ Highly persuasive & structured (clear demand, rationale, urgency, professionalism).
✔ Varied sentence structures (complex sentences, formal transitions).

Weaknesses:
✖ Almost none (minor: “purchased” typo, but this is for demonstration).

Key Takeaways for IELTS Grading:

• Band 4-5: Weak grammar, informal tone, lacks structure.
• Band 6: Good structure but simple vocabulary, minor errors.
• Band 7-8: Sophisticated language, flawless coherence, persuasive tone.