Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-07-25

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 8.5)

Dear James,

I hope this letter finds you in good health and spirits.

I am writing to discuss my possibility of extendng my lease agreement for the apartment I have been staying in for the past five months. Initially, I had it planned to rent the apartment for six months, but I would now like to extend my stay for an additional year, if possible.

The reason for this sudden change is that my employer has offered me to extend my job contract with another year, which I have been considering for the past month and agreed to accept. Since I have already settled into the apartment and find it very comfortable, I would prefer to continue living here rather than hunting for a new place.

Additionally, I would like to bring to your attention a small issue with the heating system. As the colder months are approaching, I have noticed that it takes a long time to warm up the rooms properly. If you could arrange for a technician to check it, I would really appreciate it.

Please let me know if an extension would be possible and under what terms. I look forward to your response.

Yours Sincerely,

Shilpa

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5

The letter successfully addresses all three bullet points required by the prompt. You clearly state the desired length of the extension (one year), explain the change in plans due to your employment contract, and identify the specific issue with the heating system. The tone is appropriate for a formal letter to a landlord, and the purpose of the communication is clear from the outset. The ideas are well-developed and relevant, providing sufficient detail to satisfy the task requirements without unnecessary digression. The structure is logical and follows standard formal letter conventions.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5

The letter is well-organized, with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph focuses on a single aspect of the request, which makes the letter easy to follow. You use appropriate cohesive devices such as 'Additionally', 'Initially', and 'Since', which help to link your sentences and paragraphs smoothly. The paragraphing is logical, and the opening and closing salutations are appropriate for the context. The flow of information is natural, and there is no evidence of mechanical or repetitive use of linking words.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary that is appropriate for the context of a formal request. Phrases like 'extend my lease agreement', 'settled into the apartment', and 'bring to your attention' are natural and precise. There is a minor spelling error ('extendng'), but this is a rare slip and does not impede communication. You successfully use a variety of words to express your needs, showing an awareness of style and collocation suitable for a professional correspondence.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The letter displays a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. You use complex sentences effectively, such as 'Since I have already settled into the apartment and find it very comfortable, I would prefer to continue living here...'. Grammar is generally accurate, with only minor slips, such as 'offered me to extend' (should be 'offered me an extension' or 'offered to extend') and 'with another year' (should be 'for another year'). These errors are infrequent and do not interfere with the clarity of your message.

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