Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-07

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 6.5)

Dear Lily,

I hope you are doing great. I am writing to discuss my six-month renting agreement with you. As we both know, we agreed five months ago in January 2026 that I will be renting the apartment for six months only. However, recently there's been a sudden change in the plans, and I want to prolong my agreement with you and rent the apartment for approximately 2 years.

At first when I came to Florida, I was enrolled in a short course that had a duration of five months. And I was planning to move to my hometown after the completion of the course. But I recently received an offer letter from a university in Florida, and the university is at a walking distance from my apartment. I am now planning to enroll in a masters course, that has a duration of 1.5 years. So, I want to renew my agreement for 2 years instead of six months.

Moreover, I also wanted to let you know that my apartment's central heating system is not working well. I would be glad if you can look into this as I will be staying here in extreme winters as well.

Looking forward to renewing my contract with you.

Yours sincerely,

Okash Sindhu

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The letter successfully addresses all three bullet points required by the prompt. You clearly state the desired duration of the extension (two years), provide a logical explanation for the change in plans (university enrollment), and report the issue with the central heating system. The tone is appropriate for a formal letter to a landlord, and the purpose is clear from the outset. The ideas are well-developed and relevant, ensuring the reader understands your situation and your request. You have fully satisfied the requirements of the task.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The letter is well-organized with a clear logical progression. Each paragraph focuses on a specific aspect of the request, which helps the reader follow your narrative easily. You use appropriate cohesive devices such as 'However,' 'At first,' and 'Moreover' to link your ideas effectively. The paragraphing is logical and contributes to the overall clarity of the message. The transition between the explanation of your plans and the request for repairs is smooth, maintaining a professional and polite tone throughout the correspondence.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary that is appropriate for the context of renting an apartment. Phrases like 'prolong my agreement,' 'enrolled in a short course,' and 'look into this' are used accurately. While the vocabulary is functional and clear, it is generally standard. To reach a higher band, you could incorporate more precise or sophisticated collocations related to property management or formal requests. However, the current range is sufficient to convey your meaning clearly and effectively without any errors that impede communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures effectively. Most of your sentences are error-free, and your control over tense usage—such as the shift from past events to future intentions—is accurate. There are minor punctuation slips, such as the comma usage in 'At first when I came to Florida,' which could be improved for better flow. However, these are rare and do not interfere with the clarity of your message. Your command of grammar is solid and supports the professional tone of the letter.

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

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