Model IELTS General Task 1 essay: Letter to an online store (Formal)

Oct 14, 2020 | IELTS, IELTS Test, IELTS Writing

Here is a model answer for a Formal IELTS Writing Task 1 letter.

This letter is likely to score from 8.5-9.0 on test day.

It follows this general template…

  1. Salutation
  2. 1st and 2nd Paragraph about bullet point 1
  3. 3rd Paragraph about bullet point 2
  4. 4th Paragraph about bullet point 3
  5. Sign off

The Question

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

You recently bought a chair from an online store. When it was delivered, you discovered the chair has several problems.

Write a letter to the owner of the online store. In your letter

  • describe the chair
  • explain the problems you have discovered 
  • say what you would like him/her to do

Write at least 150 words.

You do NOT need to write any addresses. Begin your letter as follows:

Dear Sir or Madam,

IELTS General Task 1 Formal Model Letter to an online shop by Andrew Turner @ EnglishWithAnExpert.com

The Answer

Dear Sir/Madam,

Several months ago, I purchased an office chair from your site. Having erected the chair, I discovered it was the wrong model and too small. I ordered the Goliath gaming chair upholstered in Napa leather and with doubly reinforced mechanisms. 

I had to purchase a pipe wrench and large rubber mallet to dismantle the chair – as per your instructions – and then repackage it for collection. This cost a significant amount of money and time. 

I finally received the correct model yesterday after another significant delay – but It seems you have sent me a showroom model. The upholstery has been damaged and is marked. It appears that the top coating of the Napa leather has been exposed to perspiration, causing a noticeable stain. The fabric on the underside of the chair is also torn. 

I would like you to note the above so that if a warranty issue arises in the future, it won’t be prejudiced by this damage. I would also appreciate the free delivery of your premium branded leather cleaner and microfibre cloth so I can endeavour to keep this chair in as good condition as possible.

Yours sincerely,

Andrew Turner

What Next?

If you would like to answer the same question and receive feedback, purchase one of our Writing Correction Packages.

If you would like to read an ebook with more examples, explanations and exercises for IELTS General Task 1 letters, visit this page.

How is this essay marked?

Purchase a writing correction

Meet your tutor

Return to IELTS Essay Home Page

Return to Blog