Writing: A Letter of Complaint
A letter of complaint is the B2 writing genre for high-stakes formal correspondence. The format covers a formal opening (I am writing to register my dissatisfaction with), problem description with specific details (dates, evidence, receipts), the impact (inconvenience, financial loss), the requested remedy (refund, replacement, apology), and a measured closing (I trust you will resolve this matter, I look forward to your prompt response). Learners build the controlled-firmness register that gets results.
This worksheet builds B2 writing fluency with formal-complaint format.
Worksheet preview
What’s inside:
- A model complaint letter with annotated structure
- Phrase bank organised by complaint phase (issue, evidence, impact, remedy, closing)
- Rewriting task: soften aggressive complaints without weakening them
- Letter gap-fill targeting register and structure
- Original-writing task: write a complaint about a recent service problem
- Full Answer Key plus Teacher Notes
Common challenges: Polite firmness at B2 — too soft sounds tentative; too harsh damages the relationship. Specific-evidence language: On 15 March, your representative confirmed, the delivery scheduled for, the receipt attached. Remedy-requesting register: I would request a full refund, I would appreciate compensation.
For: Adult and teenage learners (14+) at CEFR B2, in upper-intermediate classes, 1:1 lessons, or self-study. Maps directly onto Cambridge B2 First (FCE) Writing Part 2 and BEC Vantage. Part of the Emails & Letters collection — the natural next step is An Informal Email to a Friend, which returns to the foundational email-writing entry.
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