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Formal Letter (Complaint to Internet Provider)

IELTS General Training Writing Task One

You are not satisfied with the internet service in your area. Write a letter to the internet provider. In your letter:

  • Explain the problem you are facing

  • Say why the service is important for you

  • Request what you would like them to do

Example

Dear Sir/Madam,

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I am writing to express my dissatisfaction with the internet service provided at my address, 25 Riverside Lane.

 

For the past three weeks, the connection has been extremely slow and often disconnects without warning, which makes it nearly impossible to work from home.

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As I rely heavily on a stable internet connection for my job, these interruptions have caused serious difficulties in completing tasks and attending online meetings. Furthermore, I am still being charged the full monthly fee despite receiving a much lower quality of service than was promised.

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I would like to request that your technical team investigate this issue immediately. If the problem cannot be resolved within the next week, I would appreciate either a partial refund or the option to cancel my contract without penalty.

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I look forward to your prompt response.

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Yours faithfully,


Michael Adams

Grammar & Tips

Grammar to Use

  • Passive voice: “The service has been interrupted.”

  • Complex sentences: with subordinators (although, because, since).

  • Polite modal verbs: would, could, may, might.

  • Formal vocabulary: regarding, request, therefore, ensure.

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Rubrics (Band Descriptors)

  • Task Achievement: Covers all bullet points clearly, maintains a formal tone.

  • Coherence & Cohesion: Ideas well organized into paragraphs; logical connectors (however, therefore, in addition).

  • Lexical Resource: Formal, precise vocabulary (no contractions).

  • Grammatical Range & Accuracy: Wide range of tenses, few errors.

 

Tips

  • Do not use contractions (don’t, can’t → write do not, cannot).

  • Use polite requests (I would appreciate if…).

  • Keep a respectful tone, even in complaints.

  • End with “Yours faithfully” (if no name) or “Yours sincerely” (if named).

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