Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · 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 8.0)

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing to ask for your assistance in finding some important papers that I believe I left in my hotel room during my recent stay at your hotel.

I think I may have left the documents inside the drawer of the bedside table in my room. I stayed at the hotel for three nights last week, and I remember putting the papers there before going out for dinner. Unfortunately, I forgot to take them with me when I checked out.

These papers are extremely important to me because they contain documents related to my university application. I need to submit them within the next few days, and replacing some of the documents would be very difficult and time-consuming.

I would be very grateful if you could ask the housekeeping staff to check my room and the lost property department for these papers. If they are found, please contact me as soon as possible and let me know how I can collect them or have them sent to me.

Thank you for your time and assistance. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Yours faithfully,

Zalak Sagar

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response fully addresses all three bullet points in the prompt. You clearly identified the location of the papers (bedside table drawer), explained their importance (university application, time-sensitive), and provided a clear call to action for the manager. The tone is consistently appropriate for a formal letter, and the purpose is clear from the outset. The ideas are well-developed and logical, meeting all requirements of the task effectively.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The letter is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph serves a distinct purpose, moving from the statement of the problem to the explanation and finally the request for action. Cohesive devices such as 'Unfortunately', 'because', and 'If they are found' are used naturally to link sentences and ideas. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the overall structure is easy to follow, contributing to a smooth reading experience.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey your message with precision. Phrases such as 'assistance in finding', 'time-consuming', and 'lost property department' are accurate and appropriate for the context. While the vocabulary is functional and clear, it remains relatively standard. To reach a higher band, you could incorporate more sophisticated collocations or nuanced expressions, though the current range is perfectly adequate for the task and demonstrates good control.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The writing is highly accurate with a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. You demonstrate control over various grammatical forms, including conditional sentences ('If they are found, please contact me...') and relative clauses. Punctuation is used correctly throughout, and there are no significant errors that impede communication. The majority of sentences are error-free, reflecting a strong command of English grammar suitable for this type of formal correspondence.

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.