Describe a time when you made a complaint and were satisfied with the result.
This test has appeared in 6 seasons · 3 reported by test takers
- May–Aug/2025
- Sep–Dec/2024
- May–Aug/2024
- Jan–Apr/2024
- May–Aug/2023
- Jan–Apr/2023
Reported by test takers Forecast only
Part 1
The examiner asks about you and two familiar topics. About 4–5 minutes.
Work or study
- Do you work, or are you a student? (Why?)
- Why did you choose that job or that subject? (Tell me more about that.)
- What do you enjoy most about it? (Why?)
- Is there anything you would like to change about it? (Why?)
Tidiness
- Are you a tidy person? (Why is that?)
- Is your room usually tidy? (Why is that?)
- Did your parents ask you to tidy your room when you were young? (Why is that?)
- Do you think tidy people work better? (Why is that?)
Swimming
- Can you swim? (Why is that?)
- Where do people usually go swimming in your area? (Tell me more about that.)
- When did you learn to swim? (Tell me more about that.)
- Do you think all children should learn to swim? (Why is that?)
Part 2
One minute to prepare, then speak for one to two minutes.
Describe a time when you made a complaint and were satisfied with the result.
You should say:
- what you complained about
- who you complained to
- how you made the complaint
and explain why you were satisfied with the result.
Follow-up question after your talk: Do you often make complaints? / Why do you think the company dealt with it so well?
Part 3
A broader, more abstract discussion of the Part 2 topic. About 4–5 minutes.
the way people complain about products and services
- Can you explain why many people prefer to complain online rather than face to face?
- How would you compare complaining in writing with complaining in person?
- In general, what makes a complaint more likely to succeed?
how companies respond to their customers
- Can you explain why some companies ignore the complaints they receive?
- What could be done about customers who are afraid to complain when something is wrong?
- Can you speculate on how online reviews will change the way shops treat their customers?
Test titles follow test-taker reports and each season's forecasts — IELTS does not publish its papers. "Reported" means someone reported meeting this topic in a dated test. The questions are written by us in the format of the real test.