Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Recent IELTS Exams (Canada & India) · 2026-08-18

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

You recently helped your company organise an event at a hotel. Write a letter to the hotel manager. In your letter:

– Provide details about the event
– Mention what you particularly liked about the hotel
– Suggest areas for improvement.

You do NOT need to write any addresses.

Begin your letter as follows:
Dear Sir / Madam,

Student answer (Band 8.0)

Dear Sir / Madam

I am writing to provide some feedback on the recent event I helped my company organise at your hotel.

The event was the promotion party and award ceremony put together for deserving members of staff. We used the conference hall for the main event, and also rented out the party room for the after party. We had outside catering from a Chinese food company, but utilized the hotel's restaurant and bar services for drinks and finger foods.

The event was a huge success, and I would like to extend my gratitude to the hotel staff for their professionalism and technical know-how. Though the food came from a different company, the staff was readily available to help with setting up and even service. They coordinated and directed things, ensuring a smooth and seamless buffet navigation.

When an issue arose with the sound system, members of staff were quick and efficient with providing a solution, which resulted in the hiccup being barely noticeable, and I am truly grateful for them.

I did notice, however, a few areas that could benefit from some improvement. First, a few cleaning supplies were left behind in the conference room at the time that guests started to arrive. I also found out that the drinks were not readily available when food service began, and a few calls had to be made for that to get sorted.

In all, the event went well and I appreciate the effort expended. I do believe that the few things that did not go well require minor fixes, and hope we will have an improved experience the next time we are here.

Yours faithfully,

Jenefas Okonma.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response fully addresses all three bullet points of the prompt. You clearly described the event, highlighted the professionalism of the staff as a positive aspect, and provided specific, constructive suggestions for improvement regarding cleaning and service timing. The tone is appropriate for a formal letter to a manager, and the purpose is clear from the outset. The ideas are well-developed and relevant, demonstrating a strong understanding of the task requirements. No parts of the prompt were omitted, and the letter maintains a consistent focus throughout.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The letter is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a distinct focus: the introduction, the positive feedback, the areas for improvement, and the conclusion. You use cohesive devices effectively, such as 'Though the food came from...', 'When an issue arose...', and 'In all, the event went well'. The transition between paragraphs is smooth, and the overall structure is professional. The use of paragraphing is appropriate for a formal letter, and the referencing is clear throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary that is appropriate for a formal business context. Phrases like 'extend my gratitude', 'technical know-how', 'smooth and seamless', and 'effort expended' show a level of sophistication beyond basic communication. There are no significant errors in word choice or collocation that impede meaning. While the vocabulary is effective and natural, it could be slightly more varied in places to reach the highest band, but it is certainly sufficient for a high-level score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The writing displays a good variety of complex sentence structures, such as the use of subordinate clauses ('Though the food came from a different company, the staff was readily available...'). The grammar is generally accurate, with very few slips. Punctuation is used correctly to support the flow of ideas. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and the control over verb tenses is consistent. The occasional minor error does not detract from the overall clarity or professional tone of the letter.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.