This IELTS formal letter sample is a complaint following a visit to the theatre.
Writing about a problem
With complaint letters, you are presented with a situation that you were not happy about, perhaps an event you attended or some poor customer service.
You then have to explain what the problem was and offer a way to remedy the situation.
Remember you must fully address the three bullet points you are given – missing one or writing very little on one of them will reduce your score for Task Achievement.
Now take a look at the question and model answer.
Letter to Theatre Manager
| You recently went to see a good play at a theatre, but you did not enjoy it because of some problems in the theatre. Write a letter to the manager of the theatre. In your letter: say which play you saw and when describe the problems you experienced in the theatre suggest what the manager should do Write at least 150 words You do NOT need to write any addresses Begin your letter as follows: Dear Sir or Madam, |
Model Answer
Dear Sir or Madam,
As an avid fan of theatre, I regularly watch the newest plays at your theatre. Unfortunately, my last visit was not very enjoyable, which is why I write.
I recently went to the matinee show of The Garage Rockstar – specifically last Saturday, May 15. However, inside, a young couple were occupying my seats because of an apparent double-booking error. Before I could speak to the couple, the usher directed me to the front since the play was about to begin. My girlfriend and I complied as the seats seemed to be in a better part of the theatre. Unfortunately, we were wrong since the some side lighting was aimed our way, making it difficult to see properly and focus on the play.
With today’s technology, double-booking errors should not occur. I suggest you review your system to determine what went wrong before it happens again. Ushers should also be instructed on what to do on such occasions. Had I been given options, I might have selected better seats than the ones given. Furthermore, the lighting should be set up correctly, not directed towards the audience, as this can be blinding and distracting. Better yet, perhaps your building needs an upgrade to more modern lighting systems to the benefit of all.
I hope these problems will be addressed a soon as possible so that theatre enthusiasts can continue to enjoy the shows at your venue.
Sincerely,
Jeremy Cruise
Evaluation of the sample answer
Task Achievement: Band 8
- The letter clearly addresses the issue of double-booking and the inconvenience caused by the lighting during the performance. The purpose of the letter is well-defined, and appropriate suggestions for improvement are made.
- Specific details, such as the date of the event and the name of the play, help to contextualize the complaint.
- The tone is polite and respectful, with a clear call to action at the end, but the expression “as soon as possible” could be improved for a more professional tone (e.g., “at your earliest convenience”).
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 8
- The letter is well-organized, with clear sections outlining the problem, the consequences, and the proposed solutions.
- Cohesive devices like “however,” “unfortunately,” and “furthermore” are used effectively to guide the reader through the narrative.
- A minor improvement in cohesion could come from rewording the sentence “Unfortunately, we were wrong since the some side lighting was aimed our way…” to eliminate the redundancy and clarify the idea more smoothly.
Lexical Resource: Band 7
- The vocabulary is generally appropriate, with phrases such as “double-booking error,” “distracting,” and “directed towards the audience.”
- Some areas could benefit from more varied vocabulary. For example, instead of repeating “seats” multiple times, synonyms like “positions” or “places” could be used.
- The expression “the some side lighting” contains a small lexical error that detracts from clarity.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 7
- The grammar is mostly accurate, with a range of sentence structures, including complex sentences (e.g., “Had I been given options, I might have selected better seats…”).
- There is a small error in “the some side lighting,” and some sentences could be restructured for better clarity (e.g., “With today’s technology, double-booking errors should not occur” could be expanded with a conditional or passive form).
- Despite these minor issues, the grammar is effective overall.
Overall Band: 7-7.5
This is a well-written and polite letter that addresses the complaint clearly and provides reasonable suggestions for improvement. Slight improvements in grammar and lexical variety would enhance the overall quality.
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