IELTS GT Task 1: A Delayed Train Journey (Formal Letter)
The Task
You recently travelled by train, and your journey was delayed for several hours, causing you problems. Write a letter to the train company. In your letter: give details of your journey, explain what problems the delay caused you, and say what you expect the company to do. Write at least 150 words. You do NOT need to write any addresses.
You should cover
- •Give details of your journey
- •Explain what problems the delay caused
- •Say what you expect the company to do
Sample Band 8 Response
170 wordsWritten by EduForEveryone — for guidance only. Not an official examiner response.
Dear Sir or Madam,
I am writing to complain about a severe delay to a train journey I took with your company on 6 June, and to request appropriate compensation.
I was travelling on the 14:05 service from London to Leeds, ticket reference RT-99214. The train was held for over three hours due to a signalling failure, with very little information provided to passengers during the wait.
This delay caused me considerable difficulty. I missed an important job interview scheduled for that evening, which I had been unable to rearrange, and I was forced to pay for an unplanned overnight hotel stay because I had no way of getting home.
Given the seriousness of these consequences, I do not feel that a simple apology is sufficient. In line with your published passenger charter, I would like a full refund of my ticket and reimbursement of my hotel expenses, for which I have kept the receipt.
I look forward to your prompt reply and a satisfactory resolution.
Yours faithfully, [Your name]