Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · 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 5.0)

Dear Sir,

I am writing this letter to request your assistance regarding the paper which is really important to me and I accidentally I forget into your hotel.

Firstly, I would like to you explain you that I left my college transcript paper in your hotel last night my mistake.I am really worried about it as this paper carries my whole life.

Moreover ,I think i kept that paper into the drawer right beside the bed in room number 203 on second floor.

I really want you to look into the matter and please reach out till me as soon as possible.I would really appreciate it.

Yours faithfully

Ashi

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The letter addresses all three bullet points: the location of the papers, their importance, and the requested action. However, the response is significantly under the 150-word minimum, which severely limits the development of ideas. The explanation of why the papers are important is vague ('carries my whole life'), and the request for action is brief. To improve, you must expand on your ideas to meet the length requirement. For example, describe the specific appearance of the papers or explain the consequences of losing them in more detail to provide a more complete and professional response.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The letter is organized into short paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. However, the use of cohesive devices is limited and sometimes mechanical. For instance, the transition 'Moreover' is used, but the overall flow between sentences is somewhat disjointed. The referencing is occasionally unclear, such as 'the paper' being used repeatedly without varied pronouns or synonyms. To achieve a higher score, focus on using a wider range of linking words and ensuring that your ideas transition smoothly from one to the next, rather than relying on short, choppy sentences.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary is basic and repetitive. Phrases like 'really important' and 'really worried' are common and lack the precision expected at higher levels. There are also errors in word choice and collocation, such as 'accidentally I forget into your hotel' (should be 'accidentally left in your hotel') and 'reach out till me' (should be 'contact me'). To improve, try to incorporate more formal, topic-specific vocabulary related to lost property and professional correspondence, and ensure you use words in their correct grammatical context.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The response contains frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. Examples include 'I would like to you explain you' (redundant and incorrect structure), 'my mistake' (should be 'by mistake'), and 'I think i kept that paper into the drawer' (preposition error). The sentence structures are mostly simple, with limited attempts at complex sentences. To improve, focus on mastering basic sentence construction, specifically subject-verb agreement and correct preposition usage. Additionally, ensure you proofread for basic punctuation and capitalization errors, such as the lowercase 'i' used in the third paragraph.

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

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