Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-10-08

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 to inform you that I left the important papers in my room no7 last night where I stayed. These papers are essential for my presentation of global warming. I think that these papers should be on the table.

Please keep these documents under supervision and inform me if you save for me.

Tommorrow, Iam not available so after a day I will pick these.

I really appreciate this effort if you could help me.

Hope for positive response and co-operation.

Thank you.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.0

You address the main situation by identifying room 7, explaining that the papers are needed for a global-warming presentation, and asking the hotel to keep them safe and notify you. However, the response is very brief and does not develop these points sufficiently; in particular, the importance of the papers is only stated, not explained, and the request about how to contact you or arrange collection is unclear. The requirement to write at least 150 words is not met, which limits how fully you can cover the task. Also, the opening is “Dear Sir,” rather than the specified “Dear Sir or Madam,”. Add relevant details and make each requested action explicit.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The ideas follow a generally sensible order: you identify where the papers may be, explain their purpose, and then make a request about keeping and collecting them. This gives the short letter an understandable overall arrangement. However, the message is not divided into clear paragraphs, and the links between some ideas are abrupt, especially between “I think that these papers should be on the table” and the request to keep them under supervision. The final lines also repeat polite closing ideas without a clear sign-off. Use separate paragraphs for the situation, the papers’ importance and your requested action, and connect them with simple, accurate transitions such as “As they are needed for…” and “Could you please…”.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use enough basic vocabulary to communicate the central message, including “important papers,” “presentation,” “supervision,” and “co-operation.” The topic-specific phrase “global warming” also makes the purpose clear. However, the range is limited, and several choices or combinations sound unnatural or unclear, such as “inform me if you save for me” and “I really appreciate this effort.” Spelling and written forms such as “Tommorrow” and “Iam” also reduce accuracy. Choose more precise expressions for hotel staff and document handling, for example, ask them to “confirm whether they have found the documents” and “keep them securely.” This would make the request clearer and more appropriate for a formal letter.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

Most of your sentences are simple and the reader can understand the main message, as in “These papers are essential for my presentation of global warming.” You also attempt a longer sentence with “I really appreciate this effort if you could help me,” but its structure does not clearly express the intended request. There are errors in sentence construction and punctuation, including the run-on opening sentence, “I left the important papers in my room no7 last night where I stayed,” and the unclear clause “if you save for me.” Capitalisation and spacing are inconsistent in “Iam” and “room no7.” Use shorter, complete sentences and a clear conditional request, such as “I would appreciate it if you could contact me once you have found them.”

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

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