Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-09-24

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 7.0)

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing regarding my recent stay at your hotel. I had quite a pleasant experience overall and I am greatly satisfied with all of your services. However, unfortunately I have lost some of my most crucial documents on this trip. As far as I can remember, I had left those in the locker inside the room No. 220 in your hotel.

Those documents are of utmost importance for my admission abroad. I am afraid I might not be able to secure a fully funded scholarship without those documents.

I would highly appreciate it if you can check with the cleaning staff whether they have found the said papers or not. Once you get the confirmation, you can inform me via an email. I will make necessary arrangements to collect those from your hotel. I will be really thankful to you for this favour.

Yours Faithfully,

Mesha

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.0

The candidate has fully and effectively addressed all three bullet points required in the prompt. First, the location of the papers is clearly specified as being left in the locker inside room number 220. Second, the importance of the documents is thoroughly explained, noting that they are crucial for overseas admission and a fully funded scholarship. Third, clear instructions are given to the manager to check with the cleaning staff and inform the writer via email. The tone is entirely appropriate for a formal letter to a hotel manager, maintaining a polite and professional register throughout. All parts of the task are well-developed and fulfil the functional purpose of the letter successfully, earning a solid Band 7.5 descriptor profile.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0

The letter demonstrates a clear and logical organisation from the opening greeting to the final sign-off. The progression of ideas is smooth, moving naturally from the context of the stay and the problem, to the significance of the documents, and finally to the requested action. Paragraphing is used appropriately, with each paragraph serving a distinct functional purpose. Cohesive devices such as 'However, unfortunately', 'As far as I can remember', and 'Once you get the confirmation' are used effectively to guide the reader through the text without any awkward transitions. Referencing is clear throughout, making the communication seamless and easy to follow, corresponding well to a Band 7.5 level.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.5

The candidate displays an adequate and generally precise lexical resource suitable for a formal letter. Phrases such as 'greatly satisfied', 'crucial documents', and 'fully funded scholarship' demonstrate a good control of vocabulary and collocation. While some expressions lean slightly towards standard conversational formality rather than advanced academic lexical sophistication, the vocabulary used is accurate and fully appropriate for the communicative goal. Spelling and word choice are entirely correct, with no noticeable errors hindering comprehension. This performance fits comfortably within the Band 7 range.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 7.0

The response features a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as conditional and adverbial clauses ('Once you get the confirmation, you can inform me via an email'). Grammar and punctuation are handled with a high degree of accuracy; the vast majority of sentences are error-free, and minor issues are absent. Control over verb tenses is consistent, shifting appropriately between past recounting and present/future desires. The punctuation of the formal sign-off ('Yours Faithfully,') is correct. This level of grammatical control and sentence variety warrants a Band 7.5 score.

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.