Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-08-08

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 6.5)

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing this letter to inform you about the file of important papers at the hotel when I stayed last week. I was visiting Melbourne last week for an office meeting, during my time there I stayed at the hotel from 7 th july to 10 th july. I had an early morning flight on 11 th july , I doubt I forgot the file on top if the bedside table in rush to leave for airport.

As those papers are financial reports and very crucial documents for the company, they cannot get lost. Additionally, those documents will be used to finalize the contract with the international client in Sydney, at Head office. Moreover, I feel disappointed for myself losing them , understanding the importance of the papers.

I would like to request you if you can check the room number 201 , and email or contact me immediately on my phone. When you find them can you secure them on a safe place and I can pickup them up or arrange a courier them.

I will appreciate your prompt response.

With regards,

Dimpal.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

You have successfully addressed all three bullet points in the prompt. You clearly identified the location of the papers (the bedside table in room 201), explained their importance (financial reports for a contract), and provided clear instructions to the manager. The tone is appropriate for a formal letter. To reach a higher band, ensure that your opening sentence is grammatically complete; for example, instead of 'inform you about the file... at the hotel when I stayed', you could say 'inform you that I left a file of important papers at your hotel during my recent stay'. Overall, the purpose of the letter is clear and the requirements are fully met.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The letter follows a logical structure, with each paragraph focusing on a specific aspect of the task. You use some cohesive devices such as 'Additionally', 'Moreover', and 'When you find them', which help the flow of ideas. However, some transitions feel slightly mechanical, and the referencing could be smoother. For instance, in the second paragraph, the transition between the importance of the papers and your personal feelings is a bit abrupt. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring that each paragraph has a clear topic sentence would enhance the overall coherence of your writing.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'financial reports', 'crucial documents', and 'prompt response'. There are some minor inaccuracies in word choice, such as 'I feel disappointed for myself losing them' (which should be 'disappointed in myself for losing them') and 'secure them on a safe place' (which should be 'in a safe place'). While you successfully communicate your message, the vocabulary is generally functional rather than sophisticated. To improve, try to incorporate more precise collocations and avoid repetitive phrasing.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical slips, such as 'I doubt I forgot the file on top if the bedside table in rush to leave for airport' (should be 'I suspect I left the file on top of the bedside table in my rush to leave for the airport'). Additionally, there are minor errors with prepositions and articles. While these errors do not impede communication, they occur frequently enough to prevent a higher score. Focusing on subject-verb agreement and the correct use of articles will help improve your accuracy.

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

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