Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · 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 7.0)

Dear Rajvi,

I am writing in regard to extending my ongoing lease. My name is Yash Patel, a resident of room 1406. My lease agreement started in mid-August 2025 and is going to end by February 2026.

Let me explain my situation in more detail and why I want to stay here for a long time. Firstly, the neighbours around my apartment are quite friendly. From the day I started living here till now, they have treated me like a family member and also invited me to every special occasion. Secondly, I have invested a humongous amount in setting up my interior as well as furniture according to the layout of the house.

Now, I have decided to stay here for the long run as my workplace is just a few blocks away. Moreover, my sister once visited me and is planning to rent in the same building, as the view from my balcony is quite serene.

However, there is a problem with my drainage. Sometimes a bad odour spreads around the whole area. I tried a lot of home remedies by pouring a bucket of water, but unfortunately it didn't work out. So I also want to request that you look into this matter as well.

Yours faithfully,

Yash.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

You have successfully addressed all three bullet points required by the task. You clearly stated your intention to extend the lease, provided logical reasons for your change in plans (the friendly neighborhood and your investment in the interior), and identified the specific problem with the drainage. The tone is appropriate for a letter to a landlord, and the purpose of the communication is clear from the outset. To reach a higher band, ensure that the duration of the extension is more specific; you mention wanting to stay for the 'long run,' but providing a concrete timeframe (e.g., 'another six months' or 'one year') would better satisfy the prompt's requirement to say how long you want to rent.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The letter is well-organized with a clear logical progression. You use paragraphing effectively to separate the different requirements of the task. Cohesive devices such as 'Firstly,' 'Secondly,' 'Moreover,' and 'However' are used to guide the reader through your arguments. The referencing is generally clear, although the transition between the reasons for staying and the mention of the sister could be slightly smoother. Overall, the flow of information is logical and easy to follow, meeting the requirements for a Band 7.0 or higher.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary, such as 'serene,' 'ongoing lease,' and 'layout.' There are some minor issues with collocation and word choice; for example, 'invested a humongous amount' is slightly informal and 'setting up my interior' is not the most natural phrasing. 'Humongous' is better suited to casual conversation than a formal letter. Using more precise academic or formal vocabulary would enhance your score. However, the vocabulary used is sufficient to convey your meaning clearly and effectively throughout the letter.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

Your grammar is generally accurate, and you use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are a few minor errors, such as 'stay here for a long time' (which could be more concisely phrased) and 'a bad odour spreads around the whole area' (which is slightly awkward). Punctuation is generally correct, and your sentences are easy to understand. To improve, try to incorporate a wider variety of complex grammatical structures, such as conditional sentences or passive voice, to demonstrate greater control and flexibility in your writing.

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

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