Band 9.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 9.0 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-09-11

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 9.0)

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing to request your assistance in locating a set of important papers that I believe I left in your hotel yesterday. I clearly remember reviewing them in the lobby lounge near the reception desk, and I may have unintentionally left the folder on the small table beside the seating area while checking out. It is also possible that I placed it briefly on the counter when speaking to one of your staff members.

These papers are extremely important because they contain confidential work documents, travel schedules, and financial information that I urgently need for an upcoming professional meeting. Losing them would cause significant inconvenience and may disrupt several commitments that are already planned for this week.

I kindly request you to check the lost‑and‑found section and ask your team if a black folder has been submitted. If found, I would be grateful if you could keep it securely until I am able to collect it or arrange for safe delivery.

Yours faithfully,

Saurabh

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 9.0

The response fully addresses all three bullet points of the prompt. You clearly identified the potential locations of the papers (lobby lounge and reception counter), explained their importance by detailing the nature of the documents (confidential work and financial information), and provided a clear request for action regarding the lost-and-found. The tone is consistently professional and appropriate for a formal letter to a hotel manager. The ideas are well-developed and the purpose of the letter is immediately clear to the reader. You have successfully met all requirements of the task.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 9.0

The letter is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph serves a distinct purpose: the introduction states the purpose, the body paragraph explains the situation and importance, and the final paragraph provides the call to action. You use cohesive devices effectively, such as 'It is also possible that', 'These papers are', and 'If found', which ensure the text flows smoothly. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different stages of your request, making the letter easy to follow and professional in its presentation.

Lexical Resource — Band 9.0

You demonstrate a wide and natural range of vocabulary that is well-suited to a formal business context. Phrases such as 'request your assistance', 'unintentionally left', 'confidential work documents', and 'disrupt several commitments' show a high level of lexical control. The word choice is precise and contributes to the formal tone of the letter. There are no errors in word choice or collocation, and the vocabulary used is sophisticated enough to convey your message clearly and effectively without any ambiguity.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 9.0

The writing exhibits a high degree of grammatical accuracy and a good variety of sentence structures. You successfully use complex sentences, such as 'If found, I would be grateful if you could keep it securely until I am able to collect it', which are error-free. Punctuation is used correctly throughout, and there are no grammatical slips that impede communication. The control over verb tenses and modal verbs is excellent, reflecting a high level of proficiency in English grammar.

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