General Training Writing Task 1 · formal · complaint

Formal complaint letter to supermarket manager regarding accident: IELTS formal letter sample

An IELTS General Training Writing Task 1 formal letter with a Band 8 sample answer, why it scores well and the phrases worth borrowing for your own letter writing.
  • 179 words
  • Formal letters
  • Complaint
  • 20 minutes

The task

You were hurt in a minor accident inside a supermarket, and you wish to complain to the supermarket.

Write a letter to the manager of the supermarket. In your letter:

  • →say who you are
  • →give details about the accident
  • →suggest how the supermarket could prevent similar accidents

Write at least 150 words. You do not need to write any addresses. Begin your letter: Dear ...,

Model answer

Band 8 sample letter

Band 8179 words. Names and details are invented; write your own.

Dear Manager,

I am writing to formally report an incident that occurred at your Greenleaf Supermarket branch on High Street yesterday afternoon. I am a regular customer who visits your store weekly.

While walking down the aisle containing cleaning products at approximately 2:00 PM, I slipped on a pool of clear liquid that had leaked onto the floor. There were no warning signs or cordons in place to alert shoppers to the hazard. Consequently, I fell heavily onto my right side, resulting in a painful bruise on my hip and a torn pair of trousers. Although I did not require an ambulance, the experience was distressing and physically uncomfortable.

To prevent such accidents in the future, I suggest that staff conduct more frequent floor inspections, particularly in areas where liquids are stocked. Additionally, placing immediate signage near any spillages is essential to ensure customer safety. I trust you will investigate this matter to prevent others from suffering a similar fall.

I look forward to your response regarding how you intend to address this safety oversight.

Yours faithfully,

Jonathan Miller

Write your own and get a band

Answer this prompt in a timed General Training writing test and get a band for task achievement, coherence, vocabulary and grammar, with the sentences to fix.

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Examiner's view

Why this scores well

A Band 8 response clearly addresses all bullet points with specific, logical details and maintains a consistently professional tone throughout. A common Band 6 error is failing to provide a concrete suggestion for prevention or using overly emotional language that makes the letter sound informal.

  • →Write to an organisation or someone you do not know: open with Dear Sir or Madam, close with Yours faithfully.
  • →If you know the person's surname, use Dear Mr or Ms and close with Yours sincerely.
  • →No contractions, no slang; polite indirect requests such as I would be grateful if you could.

6 phrases

Useful phrases from the letter

  • formally report

    To officially notify someone about an important incident.

  • cordons

    Barriers placed to prevent people from entering areas.

  • distressing

    Causing someone to feel extreme anxiety or pain.

  • hazard

    A danger or risk that could cause harm.

  • frequent floor inspections

    Regular checks of the ground for safety issues.

  • safety oversight

    A failure to notice or prevent a danger.

Frequently asked questions

Is this letter formal or informal?+

Formal. Write to an organisation or someone you do not know: open with Dear Sir or Madam, close with Yours faithfully.

How many words should an IELTS General Training letter be?+

At least 150 words, and 160 to 200 is the comfortable range. Spend about 20 minutes on it and leave 40 for Task 2, which carries twice the marks.

What does the examiner look for?+

A Band 8 response clearly addresses all bullet points with specific, logical details and maintains a consistently professional tone throughout. A common Band 6 error is failing to provide a concrete suggestion for prevention or using overly emotional language that makes the letter sound informal.

Keep practising

More complaint letters

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