General Training Writing Task 1 · formal · complaint

Formal complaint to cruise provider regarding holiday disappointment

You have taken a cruise on a holiday and have been disappointed with the experience.

Write a letter to the cruise provider. In your letter:

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

Band 8 sample letter

Dear Customer Relations Team,

I am writing to express my profound dissatisfaction with the 'Mediterranean Explorer' cruise I recently completed between 10th and 17th August.

Several aspects of the trip were unacceptable. Firstly, my cabin remained uncleaned for three consecutive days despite multiple requests to the housekeeping desk. Furthermore, the main dining room failed to accommodate my pre-booked dietary requirements, resulting in limited meal options throughout the voyage. Finally, the advertised excursion to the Amalfi Coast was cancelled without notice or an alternative arrangement.

These failures significantly marred what was intended to be a celebratory holiday. I felt ignored by the staff, whose dismissive attitude towards these legitimate concerns was unprofessional. The lack of organisation turned a relaxing getaway into a stressful experience, leaving me deeply frustrated.

Given the substantial cost of this holiday, I find the service provided to be well below the standard promised in your promotional materials. I am requesting a partial refund of twenty per cent of the total booking price as compensation for these inconveniences. I look forward to receiving your prompt response regarding this matter.

Yours faithfully,

Julian Thorne

185 words. Names and details are invented; write your own.

Why this scores well

A Band 8 response fully addresses each bullet point with specific, realistic details while maintaining a professional and consistent tone throughout. The most common Band 6 error is failing to clearly state the desired outcome or providing vague complaints without sufficient context.

Useful phrases from the letter

profound dissatisfaction
a very strong feeling of being unhappy
marred
spoiled the quality or appearance of something
dismissive
showing that something is not worth considering
voyage
a long journey involving travel by sea
inconveniences
trouble or problems that cause minor annoyance
promotional materials
advertisements used to sell a specific product

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.

Practise IELTS General writing

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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 long 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 fully addresses each bullet point with specific, realistic details while maintaining a professional and consistent tone throughout. The most common Band 6 error is failing to clearly state the desired outcome or providing vague complaints without sufficient context.

More complaint letters