Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-11-12

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

Five months ago, you started renting an apartment on a six-month agreement. You now wish to stay in the apartment for longer than the six months you originally agreed with the owner.

Write a letter to the owner of your apartment. In your letter

• say how long you now want to rent the apartment for
• explain why your plans have changed
• tell the owner about a problem in the apartment

You do NOT need to write any addresses.

Begin your letter as follows:

Dear ....................................,

Student answer (Band 6.5)

Dear Mr John,

I am writing to inform you about extending my lease. I would like to stay in the apartment for more than 6 months. Kindly, allow me to explain my situation.

I would like to prolong my stay for an additional six months from the initial agreed 6months in the lease agreement, making it a total of one year.

Currently, I am managing a project at a construction site which is of close proximity to the apartment

requiring an extra 6 months for it completion.

In addition, I would like to inform you about the drainage system located besides the reservoir, it appears it has a leakage. This leakage paves way for insects like mosquitoes and coackroaches which is a problem for me and other occupants.

Kindly consider my request and I look forward to your immediate response and a prompt action.

Yours sincerely,

Destiny

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

You address all three required points: you request a further six months, explain that your construction project is nearby and needs more time, and report a drainage leak that attracts pests. The requested total of one year is clear, and the letter is appropriately directed to the apartment owner. The explanation of the changed plans is relevant, though it could be developed more fully by clarifying why the project now requires an extension. The apartment problem is also identified, but a specific request for repair would make this point more complete. The response is three words below the required minimum, so add a little relevant detail while keeping the letter focused.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The letter has a clear overall sequence: it opens with the request, gives the proposed rental period, explains the reason, and then raises the maintenance issue before closing. Paragraphing helps distinguish these points, and phrases such as “In addition” and “I look forward to” guide the reader. Some links feel mechanical, however, particularly “Kindly, allow me to explain my situation,” which interrupts the direct flow after the opening. The final request combines consideration of the extension with a prompt response and action, but the two requests could be separated for clarity. A more natural progression and clearer links between the problem and the action you want would strengthen cohesion.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use an adequate range for a formal letter, including relevant terms such as “lease agreement,” “prolong my stay,” “construction site,” and “drainage system.” These choices make the purpose and problem understandable. There are some inaccurate or unnatural expressions, though: “close proximity” is redundant in this context, “paves way” is not the natural collocation, and “leakage” is less precise than “leak” for the reported fault. “Coackroaches” is also misspelled, and “Kindly” is repeated. These issues do not prevent understanding, but more precise collocations and careful spelling would make the letter sound more fluent and appropriately formal.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.5

You use a mix of simple and more complex sentence forms, and the main message remains clear. For example, the sentence explaining that you are managing a project and need another six months conveys a reason, while the sentence about the drainage system adds a further detail. Some grammatical and punctuation errors remain. In “for it completion,” the possessive form is needed; “from the initial agreed 6months” has an awkward modifier and missing spacing; and the long sentence beginning “In addition” joins two independent ideas with a comma. The opening “Kindly, allow me” also uses punctuation incorrectly. Review possessives, sentence boundaries, and punctuation, while retaining your attempts at complex structures.

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