Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-07-27

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

Write a letter to the manager of the hotel. In your letter

• say where you think you left the papers
• explain why they are so important
• tell the manager what you want him/her to do

You do NOT need to write any addresses.

Begin your letter as follows:

Dear Sir or Madam,

Student answer (Band 5.5)

Dear Sir/madam

I am writing to about I left my important papers there I stayed at your hotel two days ago.

After I lived hotel and I attached meeting than I realised I have not my presentation notes. I checked my bag but I didn't get it.

I would appreciate it if you could try for find your hotel in my last stayed at room and inform as soon as possible because its very important papers.

I look forward to your kindly response.

Yours faithfully,

Roman deck

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, as it is only 87 words long. While you have addressed the three bullet points—mentioning where the papers were left, explaining their importance, and requesting action—the development of these ideas is extremely limited. The explanation of why the papers are important is vague, and the request for action lacks the necessary detail to be considered a fully developed response. To improve, you must expand on each point with more descriptive language and context to meet the length requirement and provide a more thorough response.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The letter is organized into short paragraphs, which is appropriate for the format. However, the progression of ideas is hindered by the lack of cohesive devices and the brevity of the sentences. The transitions between the situation (leaving the papers) and the request are abrupt. To improve, you should use linking words such as 'consequently,' 'furthermore,' or 'in addition' to connect your ideas more fluidly. The referencing is also occasionally unclear, making it difficult for the reader to follow the narrative of the event.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is quite basic and repetitive, which limits your ability to convey the urgency of the situation. Phrases like 'I didn't get it' and 'try for find' are unnatural and indicate a limited range of lexical items. There are also errors in word choice, such as 'lived hotel' instead of 'left the hotel.' To achieve a higher band, you should aim to use more precise vocabulary related to business or travel, such as 'misplaced,' 'confidential documents,' or 'urgent assistance.'

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

There are frequent grammatical errors throughout the letter that occasionally impede communication. Examples include 'I am writing to about I left,' 'I attached meeting,' and 'try for find your hotel in my last stayed at room.' These errors demonstrate a lack of control over basic sentence structures and verb tenses. You rely heavily on simple sentence structures, and your attempts at more complex sentences are often grammatically incorrect. Focusing on subject-verb agreement and correct preposition usage will significantly improve your accuracy.

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