IELTS Band 9 Letter, topic: Complaining about problems on your train journey

Last week on the twenty-first of May, I travelled from Rome to Berlin as a passenger on the train Express 302, presumably under your management.

View online

This is a model response to a Writing Task 1 topic from the High Scorer's Choice IELTS Practice Tests book series (reprinted with permission).

Writing Task 1 You should spend about 20 minutes on this task. You recently travelled by train on a long journey and you experienced various problems. Write a letter to the train company's head office. In your letter, give the details of your journey, including the date, time and where you sat explain the problems that happened and express your dissatisfaction ask about what action will be taken to improve the service 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, Last week on the twenty-first of May, I travelled from Rome to Berlin as a passenger on the train Express 302, presumably under your management. I experienced several inconveniences and problems throughout the long and strenuous journey, and I would like to make an official complaint. Firstly, the train was delayed one hour due to a malfunction with the doors. In addition to this, the train had to stop several times throughout the trip for a lengthy amount of time due to other technological problems. As a result, I arrived in Berlin three hours later than initially planned, which drastically changed my personal schedule. Secondly, the train was severely overbooked, and I was switched from first class to second class, where I was made to sit among a loud and obnoxious family. Contrary to what was advertised, there was no Internet available, and I was unable to complete some important business. Finally, when I went to complain calmly about the situation, the on-train personnel were unnecessarily rude. I hope that you can appreciate that I have had a terrible experience with your company and I look forward to reading in your reply about what action you intend to take. Yours faithfully, John Davies

IELTS Fact The fastest improvement in your Writing score happens when you get feedback on your written tasks from an IELTS Expert. Avoid the costly 'trial and error' method, submit your writing for correction and start progressing quickly and reliably to a higher Band Score today.

Start Here

Recommended Resources

Academic IELTS Book "Personally, I can say that your book was so fundamental to my preparation that without it I think I would barely receive a 6.5." - Leonardo from Brazil Learn more Buy Now

General Training IELTS Book "This book provides concise and useful tips to complete all test tasks well and on-time. Thanks again for recommending this great book to me." - Michelle P. from Malaysia Learn more Buy Now

Practice Tests for IELTS "As it turned out, the test was in exactly the same format as your examples. I would not have been able to achieve my 8 overall score on my own" - Martin from Germany Learn more Buy Now

IELTS Online Prep Platform *Desktop / Laptop (not for mobile) "These practice tests are in the same format and at the same difficulty level as the real test. The tests are not only useful for preparing for the exam, but also for developing all the skills of reading, writing, listening and speaking." - Mironi from Japan Start Free Trial Register Now

IELTS Prep Tools

Free App for Practice Download IELTS Books Online practice (free trial) Subscribe to daily tips Recent IELTS questions Model Essays IELTS Success Stories IELTS results competition

Download IELTS-Blog App for Practice

Connect with us - we're easy to find

Greater Web Publishing, PO Box 562, Brighton, VIC 3186, Australia You may unsubscribe or change your contact details at any time.

Powered by: