Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-08-11

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 your hotel during my recent stay.

I think I accidentally left them in the bedside table drawer in Room 205. I remember taking the papers out of my bag while I was packing, but I cannot find them anywhere since returning home. They may also have been left on the desk in the room.

These papers are extremely important because they contain documents related to my university application. I need them to complete my application before the deadline next week, and replacing them would be very difficult and time-consuming.

I would be very grateful if you could ask your housekeeping staff to check the room and the hotel's lost property department. If the papers are found, please contact me as soon as possible and arrange to have them sent to me.

Thank you very much for your help. I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours faithfully,

Vp

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response fully addresses all three bullet points of the task. You clearly identify the location of the papers (bedside table drawer or desk in Room 205), explain their significance (university application documents with a deadline), and provide a clear request for action (check the room and lost property, then contact you). The tone is consistently appropriate for a formal letter to a hotel manager. The ideas are well-developed and the purpose of the letter is clear from the outset. You have successfully covered all requirements of the prompt in a professional manner.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The letter is logically organized, with each paragraph focusing on a specific requirement of the prompt. The progression of ideas is smooth, moving from the identification of the problem to the explanation and finally the request for assistance. Cohesive devices such as 'I am writing to', 'because', 'if the papers are found', and 'as soon as possible' are used effectively to link ideas. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different stages of the letter, making it easy to follow. The overall structure is coherent and professional.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

The vocabulary is accurate and appropriate for a formal business letter. You use precise terms such as 'assistance', 'accidentally', 'university application', and 'lost property department'. The language is natural and fits the context well. While the vocabulary is functional and correct, it stays within a standard range. To reach a higher band, you could incorporate slightly more sophisticated collocations or nuanced expressions, but the current range is sufficient to convey your message clearly and professionally without any errors in word choice.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The grammar is highly accurate throughout the letter. You demonstrate a good command of complex sentence structures, such as 'I remember taking the papers out of my bag while I was packing' and 'I would be very grateful if you could ask your housekeeping staff to check...'. Punctuation is used correctly, and there are no significant grammatical errors that impede communication. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and the control over verb tenses and modal verbs is consistent and appropriate for the formal tone required.

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

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