Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · 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 7.5)

Dear Mr.Shelby,

I am writing to request an extension for my rental apartment till September 2027. Initially we mutually agreed till August 30th 2026, but my boss has extended my employment contract period.

Firstly, I moved from Ottawa to Etobicoke in February of this year. I had six month employment with my company, I was looking for accommodations nearby in our neighbourhood and it has been an excellent stay since then here. Secondly, my parents are visiting me next month from India, my apartment can hold them easily and there are plenty of parks and shopping complex. So my parents can walk and roam around here. Also, I feel safe and secure in our building with additional security systems.

Furthermore, I would like to draw your attention towards washer dryer. It has been making loud noise when it’s working and previously I have not encountered this issue. I would like you to arrange an appointment with a technician before my parents visit. Should you require more details about the washer dryer model number or photo, I’m happy to assist you.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely,

Ryan.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

You have successfully addressed all three bullet points in the prompt. You clearly stated the desired extension period, provided a logical reason for the change in plans (employment contract extension), and identified a specific maintenance issue with the washer-dryer. The tone is appropriate for a formal letter to a landlord. The ideas are well-developed and relevant, ensuring the reader understands your situation and your request. To reach a higher band, ensure that the transition between the explanation of your plans and the maintenance request feels slightly more integrated, though your current approach is already quite effective for this task type.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The letter is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. You use paragraphing effectively to separate the request, the reasons for staying, and the maintenance issue. Cohesive devices such as 'Firstly', 'Secondly', 'Also', and 'Furthermore' are used to guide the reader through the text. While some of these transitions are quite standard, they are used accurately and contribute to the overall flow. The referencing is clear, and the letter maintains a consistent tone throughout, making it easy to follow your request from start to finish.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for this task. Phrases like 'mutually agreed', 'employment contract', and 'draw your attention towards' are appropriate for a formal context. There are some minor inaccuracies, such as 'my apartment can hold them easily' (a more natural choice would be 'accommodate them') and 'shopping complex' (which should be pluralized or phrased as 'shopping facilities'). However, these do not impede communication. You have successfully used vocabulary that fits the context of a rental agreement and maintenance request.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures with generally good control. There are some minor grammatical slips, such as 'I had six month employment' (missing an article: 'a six-month employment') and 'towards washer dryer' (missing an article: 'towards the washer-dryer'). Additionally, 'it has been an excellent stay since then here' is slightly awkward in word order. Despite these minor errors, the majority of your sentences are clear and error-free. Your use of punctuation is generally correct, and the overall structure of the letter is professional and easy to read.

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

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