Band 9.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 9.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-07-28

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 9.0)

Dear Mr. Smith,

I hope you are doing well. I am writing regarding the apartment that I have been renting for the past five months. As my six-month tenancy agreement is due to end soon, I would like to ask if it would be possible to extend my stay for another twelve months.

When I first rented the apartment, I expected to relocate to another city after six months because of my job. However, my employer has recently informed me that my contract has been extended, so I will be staying here for at least another year. Since I have been very comfortable in your apartment and the location is convenient for work, I would prefer to continue living here rather than move elsewhere.

I would also like to bring a small issue to your attention. Over the past two weeks, the kitchen sink has been leaking, and the problem seems to be getting worse. Although I have managed to minimise the inconvenience, I would appreciate it if you could arrange for a plumber to repair it at your earliest convenience.

Thank you for considering my request. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Yours sincerely,

John Brown

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 9.0

The response fully addresses all three bullet points required by the prompt. You clearly state the desired extension length (twelve months), provide a logical explanation for the change in plans regarding your job contract, and effectively describe the maintenance issue with the kitchen sink. The tone is consistently appropriate for a formal letter to a landlord. The ideas are well-developed and the purpose of the letter is clear from the outset. 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 focuses on a specific aspect of the request, moving smoothly from the purpose of the letter to the explanation and finally the maintenance issue. You use cohesive devices such as 'However', 'Since', and 'Although' effectively to link ideas within and between sentences. The paragraphing is logical and contributes to the overall clarity of the message. The flow of information is natural and easy to follow throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.5

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for a formal business-style letter. Phrases such as 'tenancy agreement', 'relocate', 'minimise the inconvenience', and 'at your earliest convenience' are used accurately and naturally. The word choice is precise and fits the context well. There are no spelling or word-choice errors, and the language used is sophisticated enough to convey your message clearly and professionally. The vocabulary is well-suited to the task requirements.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 9.0

The letter exhibits a wide range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences with subordinate clauses (e.g., 'Although I have managed to minimise the inconvenience, I would appreciate it if...'). The majority of sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation and verb tenses is excellent. You maintain a consistent formal tone throughout. There are no grammatical slips that impede communication, and the overall accuracy is very high, reflecting a strong command of English grammar.

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