Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-18

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 Dhaval,

I hope this message finds you well. I am writing you to request on an additional 2-month extension on the six-month agreement due to some commitments at my work.

It has really been a comfortable space since last 5 month as the transportation is easily accessible to work and the shopping centres nearby. Initially, my contract with my employer was only for 6-month but due to some excessive demand, it has led to significant amount of work. Due to this reason, my employer requested me to stay over for 2 months.

However, there has been a persistent issue with water clogging inside the bedroom due to the heavy rainfall coming in from the window. Although, I tried mopping quite a few times but it keeps the floor wet.

I am really grateful for all the regular maintenance and follow-ups. I would be eagerly waiting for a positive response.

Thank you.

Ramiz

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

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 related to your employment, and describe the specific maintenance issue regarding water leakage. The tone is appropriate for a formal request to a landlord. To reach a higher band, ensure that the explanation of your plans is slightly more detailed to fully develop the ideas. Overall, the response is purposeful and meets all task requirements effectively.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The letter is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph focuses on a specific aspect of the task, which helps the reader follow your request easily. You use some cohesive devices such as 'However' and 'Although' to connect ideas. To improve, try to vary your linking words further and ensure that the transition between the request for an extension and the mention of the maintenance issue feels more natural. The paragraphing is appropriate for a formal letter.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'persistent issue', 'accessible', and 'maintenance'. There are some minor inaccuracies, such as 'water clogging' (which is usually referred to as 'water leakage' or 'seepage') and 'stay over' (which is slightly informal). While the vocabulary is sufficient to convey your meaning clearly, incorporating more precise collocations would enhance the professional tone of your writing. The spelling is accurate throughout the text.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are some grammatical slips, such as 'I am writing you to request on an additional' (should be 'I am writing to request an additional') and 'since last 5 month' (should be 'since the last 5 months'). Additionally, 'Although, I tried mopping' is grammatically incorrect as 'although' is a conjunction, not an adverb. Despite these errors, the meaning remains clear, and the grammar does not impede communication. Focusing on preposition usage and sentence structure will help improve your accuracy.

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

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