Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Barron's Writing · 2026-08-11

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

You rode in a taxi yesterday. When you got home, you realized you had left your bag in the taxi.

Write a letter to the manager of the taxi company. In your letter
• explain how you lost your bag.
• describe your bag.
• ask the manager to help you find it.

You do NOT need to write any addresses.

Begin your letter as follows:

Dear Sir or Madam,

Student answer (Band 8.0)

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing to inform you that I accidentally left my bag in your taxi, which I took yesterday. The taxi registration number was ALD 045, and it was a white Alto VXR.

The bag was a black purse containing several important documents and a laptop. It was approximately the size of a notebook, making it relatively small and easy to carry. The documents are extremely important to me because I have to attend an important meeting next week. Therefore, I am quite concerned about losing them.

I would greatly appreciate your assistance in locating my bag. I kindly request that you contact the driver of the taxi and ask whether my belongings have been found. If the bag is located, please inform me as soon as possible and let me know how I can collect it. I would be very grateful for your prompt assistance in this matter.

I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Yours faithfully,

Rabia Kanwal

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response fully addresses all three bullet points required by the prompt. You clearly explained how the bag was lost, provided a detailed description of the item, and included a polite request for assistance. The tone is appropriate for a formal letter to a manager. The ideas are well-developed and the purpose of the letter is clear from the outset. You have successfully covered all aspects of the task, ensuring the reader understands the situation and the desired outcome without any omissions.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The letter is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph serves a distinct purpose: the introduction states the purpose, the body paragraphs provide the necessary details, and the conclusion offers a polite closing. Cohesive devices such as 'Therefore', 'If the bag is located', and 'In this matter' are used effectively to link sentences and ideas. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the flow of information is smooth, making the letter easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for a formal business context. Phrases like 'inform you', 'greatly appreciate your assistance', and 'prompt assistance' are well-chosen and natural. While the vocabulary is functional and accurate, it stays within a fairly standard range. To reach a higher band, you could incorporate slightly more sophisticated collocations or precise descriptive language, but the current usage is precise and error-free, effectively conveying your message.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The grammar is highly accurate throughout the letter. You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures effectively, such as 'The bag was a black purse containing several important documents...' and 'If the bag is located, please inform me...'. There are no noticeable grammatical errors, and punctuation is handled correctly. The control over sentence structure is strong, and the writing is clear and professional, reflecting a high level of grammatical competence.

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

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