Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-04
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 5.5)
Dear sir,
I hope you are doing well. I am writing to you to discuss our rent agreement. As you know that i am staying in your building from last five months and now only one is left according to our agreement. I want to increase this contract for another 6 months because my company is hiring me as a permanent employee for at least next two years. Before i was a temporary worker at my office. So, i am planning to stay for long time into your flat. I hope you will understand my needs. Moreover, everything is perfect but from last few days i am facing some issues with the wifi of the building. I also checked my modem but I am unable to find the problem. Please provide an electrician to fix this problem and let me know about your de
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The letter covers all three bullet points: the duration of the extension, the reason for the change, and the mention of a technical problem. However, the response is incomplete, as it cuts off mid-sentence at the end. Furthermore, the response falls short of the 150-word minimum requirement. While the tone is generally appropriate for a formal letter, the lack of a proper closing and the failure to meet the length constraint significantly impact the overall task achievement. To improve, ensure all parts of the prompt are fully developed and that the letter is completed with a standard closing, such as 'Yours sincerely'.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The letter follows a basic logical structure, with each paragraph addressing a specific requirement of the prompt. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical and limited. For example, the transition between the explanation of the job change and the request for the extension could be smoother. Additionally, the abrupt ending of the letter disrupts the overall flow and coherence. To reach a higher band, use a wider variety of linking words and ensure that the letter has a clear, logical progression from the opening to the final sign-off.
Lexical Resource — Band 6.0
The vocabulary used is adequate for the task but remains quite basic. Phrases like 'everything is perfect' and 'facing some issues' are functional but lack the precision expected at higher levels. There is little attempt to use less common or more sophisticated lexical items. The word choice is generally accurate, but the range is limited to everyday language. To improve, try to incorporate more specific vocabulary related to housing and professional contexts, such as 'tenancy agreement', 'contract extension', or 'technical malfunction'.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The letter contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are several grammatical errors. For instance, 'i am staying in your building from last five months' should be 'I have been staying in your building for the last five months'. Additionally, the pronoun 'I' is frequently written in lowercase, which is a persistent error. There are also issues with article usage and prepositional phrases. While these errors do not completely impede communication, they occur frequently enough to lower the score. Focus on consistent capitalization and correct verb tense usage for duration.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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