Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.5 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-07-30

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 8.5)

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing to ask for your help in finding some important papers that I believe I left in your hotel after checking out last Sunday.

I think I accidentally left the documents in the drawer of the writing desk in Room 305. I remember reviewing them the night before I left, and I may have forgotten to pack them before checking out. It is also possible that I left them on the table.

These papers are crucial because they include my original university admission letter, academic transcripts, and visa documents. I need them to complete my enrollment, and replacing them would be time-consuming.

Could you please ask your housekeeping staff to check the room carefully, especially the desk drawer and table? If the papers are found, I would appreciate it if you could contact me immediately and arrange to send them to my address. I will gladly pay all delivery costs.

Thank you for your assistance. I look forward to your prompt reply.

Yours faithfully,

Janki

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5

The response fully addresses all three bullet points in the prompt. You clearly identified the location of the papers (Room 305, desk drawer/table), explained their significance (university admission, transcripts, visa), and provided a clear request for action (housekeeping check and postage). The tone is appropriately formal and polite for a letter to a hotel manager. The ideas are well-developed and the purpose of the letter is immediately clear to the reader. You have successfully met all requirements of the task.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5

The letter is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph serves a distinct purpose, moving from the introduction to the details of the lost items, the explanation of their importance, and finally the call to action. Cohesive devices such as 'I think', 'It is also possible', and 'If the papers are found' are used effectively to link sentences and ideas. The paragraphing is appropriate for a formal letter, and the flow is smooth throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for the context of a formal request. Phrases like 'accidentally left', 'crucial', 'time-consuming', and 'prompt reply' are used accurately. The language is natural and fits the formal tone required for this task. There are no spelling errors, and the word choice is precise enough to convey your message clearly without ambiguity. While the vocabulary is functional and accurate, it could be slightly more sophisticated to reach the highest band, but it is certainly sufficient for a strong score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 9.0

The grammar is highly accurate throughout the letter. You have used a mix of simple and complex sentence structures effectively, such as the conditional sentence 'If the papers are found, I would appreciate it if you could contact me'. Punctuation is used correctly, and there are no noticeable grammatical errors. The control over verb tenses is consistent, particularly when describing past actions and future expectations. The writing is error-free, which demonstrates a high level of grammatical control.

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