Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-17

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 Sir,

I am writing to let you know about a change my plans regarding a rental of your apartment. When I first rented the apartment, I intended to stay for only six months. However, I would like to extend my tenancy for another six months, which means that I hope to rent the apartment for a total of one year.

The main reason for this change is that my company has recently extend my work contract in this area. As a result, I will need to remain in the city for a longer period than I had originally expected. I have been very comfortable living in the apartment and would therefore prefer to continue staying there rather than look for another place.

However there is a one problem in the apartment that I would like you to address. The water heater in the bathroom has not been properly working for the past few days. It takes a long time to heat the water and sometimes stop working completely. I would be grateful if you arrange for someone to repair it as soon as possible.

Please let me know whether it would be possible to extend my rental agreement. I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours faithfully,

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The letter successfully addresses all three bullet points required by the prompt. You clearly state the desired extension period, provide a logical reason for the change in plans (the work contract extension), and describe the issue with the water heater effectively. The tone is appropriate for a formal letter to a landlord, and the purpose of the communication is clear from the outset. All parts of the task are well-developed, and the response maintains a consistent focus throughout.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The letter is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph focuses on a specific aspect of the request, which makes the letter easy to follow. You use appropriate cohesive devices such as 'However', 'As a result', and 'therefore' to link your sentences and ideas. The paragraphing is effective, and the transition between the request for extension and the mention of the maintenance issue is smooth. The overall structure is coherent and professional.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for a formal letter. Phrases such as 'extend my tenancy', 'remain in the city', and 'address the issue' are used accurately. While the vocabulary is functional and clear, it could be slightly more sophisticated to reach the highest bands. There are no significant errors in word choice, and the language used is natural and fits the context of a rental agreement well.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The letter contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. Most sentences are error-free, though there are a few minor slips, such as 'my company has recently extend' (should be 'extended') and 'sometimes stop working' (should be 'stops'). Additionally, 'there is a one problem' contains a redundant article. Despite these occasional errors, the grammar is generally accurate and does not impede communication. The control of punctuation and sentence structure is sufficient for a high band score.

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

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