🏠 Insurance English: Handling a Complaint – B1

Section 1 – Vocabulary

The letter below was drafted by a trainee claims handler in response to a customer complaint. It contains six errors — wrong terminology, inappropriate register, missing professional language, or a legally risky phrase. Read the letter carefully. For each numbered box below, type the incorrect word or phrase exactly as it appears in the letter. If you identify it correctly, a correction option will appear.

Section 2 – Reading in Context

Read the email from the claims department. Then answer the questions below.

Dear Mrs Ahmed,

Re: Complaint Reference CP-2026-0892 — Acknowledgement of Complaint

Thank you for contacting us regarding your experience during the handling of your claim, reference CL-2026-4471. I am writing to acknowledge receipt of your complaint and to confirm that it is being investigated as a matter of priority.

I understand that you are dissatisfied for two reasons. Firstly, you feel that the wear and tear deduction applied to your flooring was not explained to you in advance of the decision letter. Secondly, you experienced an unreasonable delay of three weeks during which you received no update on the progress of your claim.

I would like to express our sincere apologies for the lack of communication you experienced. While the decision regarding the deduction was made in accordance with your policy conditions, we recognise that clearer communication at an earlier stage would have been appropriate.

Your complaint has been escalated to our Customer Relations team, who will conduct a full review. We will provide you with a full written response within eight working days. If you remain dissatisfied following our response, you have the right to refer the matter to the Financial Ombudsman Service, which offers a free and independent review.

We value your feedback and are committed to using it to improve our service.

Yours sincerely,
Customer Relations Department

Section 3 – Language Focus

The email uses formal professional language. For each informal phrase below, select its formal equivalent from the email.

The informal version is shown in italics. Choose the correct formal version from the dropdown.

Section 4 – Conversation Practice

Complete the conversation between the claims handler and Mrs Ahmed. Choose the correct word or phrase for each gap.

Section 5 – Error Correction

The email below was written by a trainee claims handler. It contains six errors — wrong vocabulary, wrong register, or unprofessional phrasing. Read the email carefully. For each of the six numbered boxes below, type the incorrect word or phrase exactly as it appears in the email. If you identify it correctly, a correction option will appear.

Dear Mrs Ahmed,

We got your complaint about your claim and we are looking into it.

You said you were not told about the deduction and that nobody rang you for three weeks. We accept that the delay was our fault and we are sorry about that.

The decision on the deduction was correct and we are not going to change it. However, we understand this is not what you were hoping to hear.

Your case has been passed to a colleague who will look into it. You will get a reply within eight working days.

If you are still not happy after that, you can go to the ombudsman.

Regards,
Claims

Find the errors

There are 6 errors. For each one, type the incorrect word or phrase exactly as it appears in the email above, then click Check. If correct, a correction option will appear.

Section 6 – Listening

Listen to the assessor calling Mrs Ahmed to arrange the visit. Then answer the questions below.

🎧 Listen to the conversation

Press Play to listen.
Claims Handler: Good afternoon, Mrs Ahmed. I am calling with an update regarding your complaint, reference CP-2026-0892.

Mrs Ahmed: Yes, I have been waiting to hear from you.

Claims Handler: Our Customer Relations team has completed their review of your complaint. We concluded that the lack of updates during your claim fell below our service standards, and we apologise sincerely for that.

Mrs Ahmed: I am glad that has been acknowledged. What happens now?

Claims Handler: As a recognition of the inconvenience caused, we would like to offer you a goodwill gesture of one hundred and fifty pounds. This payment is entirely discretionary and does not affect your original settlement.

Mrs Ahmed: I appreciate that. Will I receive that in writing?

Claims Handler: Yes, a confirmation letter will be sent to you within two working days. Your complaint reference CP-2026-0892 is now closed, unless you have any further concerns you would like to raise.

Mrs Ahmed: No, I think that is satisfactory. Thank you for resolving this.

Claims Handler: Thank you for bringing this to our attention, Mrs Ahmed. We value your feedback and we will use it to improve our service going forward.

Part A – Comprehension Questions

Part B – Listen and Fill the Gap

Each sentence is from the conversation. One word or phrase is missing. Listen and type it.

🏆 Your Scores

SectionScoreOut of
1 – Vocabulary Matching10
2 – Reading Comprehension5
3 – Language Focus8
4 – Conversation Practice10
5 – Error Correction6
6a – Listening: Comprehension5
6b – Listening: Gap Fill5
Total49

Complete all sections to see your total score.