IELTS Sample Letter Band 7 - Formal Complaint Example

If you are preparing for the IELTS General Training Writing Task 1, it’s important to understand how to structure a formal letter clearly and effectively. Below is a IELTS Sample Letter Band 7 based on the topic:

“You recently used public transportation and faced several issues during your journey. Write a letter to the public transport authority.”

This sample demonstrates proper tone, structure, vocabulary, and cohesion—ideal for improving your IELTS writing skills.

IELTS Sample Letter Band 7 Question

You recently used public transportation and faced several issues during your journey. Write a letter to the public transport authority. In your letter:

Describe the problems you faced
Explain how these issues affected your journey
Suggest what can be done to improve the service

IELTS Sample Letter Band 7 Answer

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am writing to express my dissatisfaction with the public transportation service in the city. Earlier today, I used the city bus from Etobicoke to Kipling as my car broke down unexpectedly. To plan my journey, I relied on your authorised mobile application, Transit, which advised me to board the express bus from Humber College Boulevard to Kipling at 8:15 a.m. This should have allowed me to reach my workplace by 9:00 a.m.

However, the bus arrived at 8:30 a.m., which was fifteen minutes later than the scheduled time. In addition to the delay, the bus was in an unhygienic condition, and the heating system was not functioning despite the cold weather. These issues not only caused considerable discomfort but also resulted in me reaching the office late and missing an important client meeting.

I kindly request you to conduct an internal enquiry to identify the cause of these problems and take appropriate measures to improve service quality. Enhancing punctuality, vehicle maintenance, and passenger comfort will encourage more people to depend on public transport regularly.

Thank you for your attention. I look forward to seeing positive improvements in the service.

Yours sincerely,
Kamaljeet Kaur

Why This Letter Scores Band 7

Clear structure (opening, body paragraphs, suggestion, closing)
Formal language and tone
Specific details that make the situation realistic
Coherence and cohesion throughout the letter
Variety of vocabulary appropriate for a formal complaint

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FAQs

1. What makes a letter Band 7 in IELTS General Training?

A Band 7 letter clearly answers all parts of the question, uses an appropriate tone, presents well-organised ideas, and shows good control of grammar and vocabulary with only occasional errors.

2. How long should a Band 7 letter be?

A Band 7 response is usually 160–190 words.

3. Do I need to use complex vocabulary for Band 7?

You don’t need very advanced words.
Instead, use clear, natural vocabulary, avoid repetition, and choose words that fit the situation.

4. How important is tone for achieving Band 7?

Tone is crucial. If the letter is formal, semi-formal, or informal, your wording should match. Incorrect tone can lower your score.

5. Should I include specific details in a Band 7 letter?

Yes. Band 7 letters often include realistic details such as times, dates, locations, and examples. These details help you fully answer the task.