IELTS Formal Letter: Letter to bank manager complaining about missing chequebook

The task

You ordered a new chequebook from your bank two weeks ago but you have received nothing.

Write a letter to the manager complaining about the bad service. In your letter:

→when and how you ordered the chequebook
→ask how much longer you will have to wait
→ask the manager what action he will take over this matter

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

Model answer

Band 8 sample letter

Band 8184 words. Names and details are invented; write your own.

Dear Mr. Henderson,

I am writing to express my dissatisfaction regarding a chequebook I ordered from your branch two weeks ago, which has yet to arrive.

On 12th October, I visited the High Street branch in person to request a new chequebook. I completed the necessary application form at the customer service desk and was informed by the clerk that it would be dispatched via post to my registered home address within five working days. Despite this assurance, I have checked my post daily and have received no correspondence from the bank.

Could you please clarify how much longer I should expect to wait for this delivery? This delay is causing significant inconvenience, as I have several outstanding payments that require cheque settlement.

I would appreciate it if you could investigate this matter immediately to determine whether the request was processed correctly or if the item was lost in transit. Please confirm what action you intend to take to rectify this error and ensure the prompt delivery of my chequebook. I look forward to your swift response regarding this issue.

Yours faithfully,

Julian Thorne

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 fully addresses every bullet point with specific, logical details while maintaining a consistently professional tone. The most common mistake for Band 6 candidates is failing to ask the manager specifically what action they will take, often resulting in an incomplete response to the prompt's requirements.

→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

dissatisfaction
a feeling of unhappiness because expectations were not met
dispatched
sent off to a destination for a specific purpose
correspondence
communication by exchanging letters or emails with someone
outstanding payments
debts or bills that have not yet been paid
rectify
to put something right or correct a mistake
swift
happening quickly or promptly without any unnecessary delay

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?+

Keep practising

More complaint letters

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