Describe a Time You Made a Complaint about Something – IELTS Speaking Part 2 & 3

Giving feedback is important, especially when we’re talking about restaurants or any service we receive. Sometimes, it’s hard to find the right words to describe our experience. Knowing how to express our complaints is a valuable skill we use every day, and topics like these are also crucial in IELTS Speaking, such as ‘Describe a Time You Made a Complaint about Something’.

So, let us have a look at 3 sample answers on the cue card topic, ‘Describe a Time You Made a Complaint about Something ’ as well as some Part 3 questions to improve your speaking skills for the IELTS exam.

Describe a Time You Made a Complaint About Something – IELTS Cue Card Sample Answer 1

• When did it happen?

Unfortunately, just recently, I ordered a brand new, high-end laptop from a well-known online retailer. However, within a day, it started malfunctioning – it wouldn’t charge, it overheated constantly, and the battery life was abysmal. I spent a lot of time troubleshooting, but none of the fixes worked, so I made a complaint through a customer service agent and initiated a return request on the website.

• What did you complain about?

I report the ongoing overheating issue with the laptop. Additionally, I emphasized that the promised long battery life wasn’t met, as I could only get a meager 2-3 hours of use while working. While the laptop had a sleek design, the build quality was severely lacking. I explained that this significant investment wasn’t meeting expectations due to the malfunctions, and I requested a prompt refund.

• Who did you complain to?

Initially, I contacted the laptop manufacturer to see if a repair, update, or troubleshooting steps could resolve the issues. Unfortunately, these attempts proved unsuccessful. Following this, I reached out to the customer service department of the website where I purchased the laptop. They were incredibly helpful, starting with a chat on their official website and then following up with a call to gather more details.

• What was the result and why were you satisfied with the result?

The refund process, while lengthy due to the necessary verifications for a high-value item, finally concluded after about a month. It was understandable though, considering the cost. Thankfully, they remained true to their word, and I received a full refund. That level of customer service left me very satisfied with the outcome.

Describe a Time You Made a Complaint About Something- IELTS Cue Card Sample Answer 2

• When did it happen?

So, I was traveling by train for a long journey. With a rumbling stomach and knowing I’d be hungry, I decided to order food online through the railway app. This service allows you to order from nearby restaurants with the option to pay either in cash upon delivery or online beforehand. There’s just one thing to keep in mind: you need to place your order at least 2-3 hours before arriving at your station.

• What did you complain about?

I was incredibly disappointed with the food quality and quantity I received. The price I paid did not reflect the poor quality I got. The restaurant’s rating wasn’t bad, so I was expecting decent food, at least something edible. Unfortunately, it wasn’t worth the money at all.

• Who did you complain to?

I ordered food through the official railway app. Since they requested a review after delivery, I detailed the food quality issues. While the delivery person was very kind and even asked me with a smile to leave a review, I felt obligated to be honest for the sake of other passengers. It wasn’t easy giving a bad review, but I felt it was necessary.

• What was the result and why were you satisfied with the result?

While I wasn’t completely happy with the outcome, it wasn’t a total loss. I believe the railway authorities must have contacted the restaurant, as I received a partial refund on the order. Even though the food was delivered, I appreciate that they took some action instead of completely ignoring my complaint. So, in that sense, I’m okay with the result. However, this experience has definitely deterred me from ordering food on trains in the future.

Describe a Time You Made a Complaint About Something – IELTS Cue Card Sample Answer 3

• When did it happen?
  

About 4-5 months ago, we installed a new Wi-Fi router in our house. However, after just a week, it started experiencing significant slowdowns. Even worse, most of the time, it wouldn’t even display a network connection. Frustrated by this issue, I decided to file a complaint with the Wi-Fi router’s network operator.

• What did you complain about?

I complained about the abysmal internet speed and the frequent occurrences of the network completely dropping. Even after a full recharge and switching to a supposedly better internet plan, the issue persisted. Frustrated, I contacted the service provider and demanded a solution. I made it clear that I expected either a significant improvement in service or a full refund for my internet plan.

• Who did you complain to?

I initially consulted the service technician who installed the router, and they assured me the issue would be resolved. However, a week passed, and the problem persisted. Disappointed with the lack of improvement, I decided to write a formal email to the service provider about the network situation.

• What was the result and why were you satisfied with the result?

The service provider called me and suggested some troubleshooting steps. While these steps improved the internet speed somewhat, the issue of the network dropping completely persisted. They then sent a technician who replaced some wires and performed maintenance on the router itself. Thankfully, this finally fixed the problem! After weeks of frustration, I was thrilled with the end result. The internet speed was excellent, and the “no network” issue never reappeared.

Vocabulary You Can Use to Answer IELTS Speaking Part 2 Questions on Describe a Time You Made a Complaint About Something

• Abysmal
  Meaning: Extremely bad or poor.
  Example: The book reviews were abysmal, so I decided to not read.
  

• Troubleshoot
  Meaning: It means to identify and solve problems in a system or piece of equipment.
  Example: The IT department is troubleshooting the network outage.

• Malfunction
  Meaning: Failure of a device or system to function properly.
  Example: My laptop started to malfunction after I spilled tea on it.

• Rumbling
  Meaning: Deep, continuous sound that often vibrates or shakes.
  Example: There was a loud rumbling sound coming from the Car engine.
  

• Deterred
  Meaning: Discouraged or prevented from doing something.
  Example: The high price of petrol deterred me from taking a road trip this winter.
  

• Persisted
  Meaning: Continued to insist or do something
  Example: The salesman persisted in calling me even though I told him I wasn’t interested.
  

• Beforehand
  Meaning: Advance or earlier than a particular time.
  Example: John called me beforehand to let me know he was running late.

Describe a Time You Made a Complaint About Something IELTS Part 3 Follow-Up Questions

• Which one is better when making a complaint, by talking or by writing?

In my opinion, written complaints are far superior to oral ones. With a written complaint, you have documented proof that includes the date you filed it. This record is crucial if the issue remains unresolved for days or weeks. It eliminates the possibility of someone denying your claim of ever contacting them. Additionally, a written complaint creates a clear record of your dissatisfaction with the service you received. This often leads to companies taking the issue more seriously compared to a verbal complaint.

• Can complaining help solve problems?

In most cases, complaining gets results, and it’s something everyone should do. Just like compliments acknowledge good service, complaints highlight areas for improvement. By voicing your concerns, you help the service provider or seller identify their shortcomings. Remember, you’re paying for a service or product, and it’s your right to expect quality. While they might not solve every issue completely, even a partial resolution can be helpful. In my experience, most complaints do get addressed, so it’s always better to speak up than suffer in silence and risk getting bad service again.

• Do you think customers’ complaints will improve products or services?

Absolutely! It’s just like giving feedback to a restaurant chef. If you tell them a specific ingredient throws off the dish, they can adjust the recipe for future customers. The same goes for products – reporting bugs or issues helps companies identify problems. Imagine if ten people complain about the same issue! That kind of volume encourages them to take action and fix the bug. So, complaining about bad service does make a difference. It pushes companies to improve and ensures you, and others, don’t have to deal with the same problems.

• When do people usually complain?

Customers naturally complain when a service or product falls short. After all, we’re spending our hard-earned money, and it’s reasonable to feel dissatisfied and voice our concerns. On the other hand, service providers and product makers sometimes make promises that aren’t met. In these cases, our complaints act as a form of feedback, letting them know we’re unhappy with what they’re offering. It’s a way for us to communicate that their promises haven’t translated into reality.

• Who is more likely to make complaints, older people or younger people?

Age doesn’t necessarily determine who complains more. It really comes down to personality. People who are more vocal and comfortable expressing themselves are more likely to voice concerns and offer constructive criticism. It’s not about age – there are plenty of young people who hesitate to speak up, and many older adults are very outspoken.

Vocabulary You Can Use to Answer IELTS Speaking Part 3 Questions on Describe a Time You Made a Complaint about Something 

• Eliminate
  Meaning: Remove or get rid of something completely.
  Example: A healthy diet can help eliminate the risk of heart disease.
  

• Often
  Meaning: Happening or being done many times at short intervals.
  Example: It often rains in the Mountains during the winter.
  

• Resolution
  Meaning: The act of solving a problem or finding a way to improve a difficult situation.
  Example: We were able to come to a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
  
  
• Constructive Criticism
  Meaning: Feedback that points out both the positive and negative aspects of something.
  Example: She said you dance well but you need to work on more styles. It was a good constructive feedback.
  
  
• Crucial
  Meaning: Extremely important or essential.
  Example: Getting enough sleep is crucial for maintaining good health.

• Shortcomings
  Meaning: It means a weakness, imperfection, or limitation.
  Example: The new phone has a great camera, but its battery life is a major shortcoming.

We truly believe that the IELTS cue card topic ‘Describe a Time You Made a Complaint about Something ‘ along with the provided sample answers could have been immensely beneficial!
Share your insights on how this resource has enriched your preparation in the comments below!

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