Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-09-04
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 5.5)
Dear sir,
I am writing this letter to inform you about my documents which I left in your hotel yesterday.
On Aug 30, I stayed in your hotel with my friends. We were thee friends. We stayed here for two days On sep 2, at 11:30 am we checked out but unfortunately I forgot my file on reception desk. It has a brown lather cover. It has my passport my credit card and my wallet.I urgently need all my stuff by tomorrow morning because I have my flight.
I am requesting you please keep them in a safe place. My friend will come to collect all that documents. His name is Aditya. Please give my file to him.
I am look forward to hearing from you.
Your faithfully,
Jashanpreet Kaur
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The letter addresses all three bullet points: identifying the location of the papers, explaining their importance, and requesting action. However, the response is significantly under the 150-word minimum requirement, which negatively impacts the development of ideas. While the purpose of the letter is clear, the brevity prevents a more professional and detailed tone. To improve, you should expand on the context of your visit and provide more specific details regarding the urgency of the situation to ensure the letter meets the length requirement and demonstrates a more comprehensive response to the task.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The letter is generally coherent, and the progression of ideas is logical. You use basic paragraphing to separate the introduction, the body, and the conclusion. However, the use of cohesive devices is quite limited and mechanical. Phrases like 'On Aug 30' and 'On sep 2' are used to sequence events, but the transitions between sentences could be smoother. To improve, try using a wider variety of linking words and phrases (e.g., 'consequently', 'furthermore', 'in addition to this') to connect your ideas more fluidly and improve the overall flow of the text.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is adequate for the task but lacks variety and precision. There are some spelling errors, such as 'thee' instead of 'three', 'lather' instead of 'leather', and 'sep' instead of 'September'. Additionally, some word choices are basic, such as 'stuff' and 'documents'. To reach a higher band, you should aim for more precise vocabulary related to the context of a hotel stay and lost property. Expanding your range of collocations and ensuring accurate spelling will significantly improve your score in this criterion.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The letter contains a mix of simple and some compound sentences. There are several grammatical errors, including 'I am look forward to' (should be 'I am looking forward to') and 'Your faithfully' (should be 'Yours faithfully'). Punctuation is also inconsistent, particularly with capitalization and spacing after periods. While the meaning is generally clear, the frequency of these errors suggests a need for more careful proofreading. To improve, focus on mastering basic verb tenses and ensuring consistent punctuation throughout your writing.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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