Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-05

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 8.0)

Dear Sir or Madam,

I hope you are doing well. I am writing to ask if it would be possible to extend my rental agreement, which is due to expire next month.

Instead of moving out,I would now like to continue renting the apartment for another twelve months. I have really enjoyed living here because it is comfortable, well-maintained, and conveniently located near my workplace.

My plans have changed because my company has extended my work contract for another year. However, due to this unexpected opportunity, I have decided to stay here for a longer period.

I would also like to inform you about a small problem in the apartment. Over the past few weeks, the water heater has not been working properly, and it sometimes stops heating the water. I would appreciate it if you could arrange for someone to inspect and repair it at your earliest convenience.

I look forward to your positive reply.

Yours faithfully,

John

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The letter successfully addresses all three bullet points required by the prompt. You clearly state the desired extension period (twelve months), explain the change in plans due to your work contract, and report the issue with the water heater. The tone is consistently appropriate for a formal letter to a landlord. The purpose of the letter is clear from the beginning, and the ideas are well-developed and relevant to the task. You have maintained a professional and polite tone throughout, which is essential for this type of correspondence.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The letter is well-organized with a logical progression of ideas. Each paragraph focuses on a specific point from the prompt, which makes the letter easy to follow. You use appropriate cohesive devices such as 'Instead of', 'However', and 'Over the past few weeks' to link your thoughts effectively. The paragraphing is clear and appropriate for a formal letter. The transition between the request for an extension and the report of the maintenance issue is smooth and natural.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary that is appropriate for the context of renting an apartment. Phrases like 'due to expire', 'well-maintained', and 'at your earliest convenience' are used accurately and naturally. The language is precise and conveys your meaning clearly without any noticeable errors. While the vocabulary is functional and accurate, incorporating a few more sophisticated collocations or less common lexical items could elevate the response further, but the current range is sufficient for a high band score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

Your grammar is accurate, and you use a variety of sentence structures effectively. You successfully combine simple and complex sentences, such as 'I have really enjoyed living here because it is comfortable, well-maintained, and conveniently located near my workplace.' Punctuation is generally correct, and there are no significant errors that impede communication. The majority of your sentences are error-free, showing good control over tense usage and sentence construction throughout the letter.

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

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