Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-21

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 Mrs. Grace,

I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to extend the lease of my apartment. We initially agreed on a six-months lease, but now I want to extend it for more then a year.

Recently, I got a job nearby and that is the only reason I want to renew the rent agreement. That job is at walking distance from my apartment which not only saves time but also transportation cost. Moreover, I enjoy living in this area as the people around me are very friendly and welcoming.

However, there is one issue with the apartment it's heating system is not working properly because of that I am falling ill, as it stays cool throughout the day. I would really appreciate it if you could look into this matter and send someone to repair it. Apart from that this apartment is pretty good and spacious for a person.

I look forward to your response.

Yours sincerely,

Nav

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

You have successfully addressed all three bullet points in the prompt. You clearly stated the desired extension period, provided a logical reason for your change in plans (a new job), and identified a specific maintenance issue (the heating system). 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, you could provide slightly more detail regarding the specific dates of the extension or the urgency of the repair, but overall, the task requirements are fully met.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

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 message easily. You used some cohesive devices such as 'Moreover', 'However', and 'Apart from that' to link your sentences and paragraphs. While the flow is generally smooth, the transition between the request for extension and the maintenance issue could be slightly more refined. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the letter follows a standard, professional structure that is easy to navigate.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

Your vocabulary is sufficient for the task and allows for clear communication. You used appropriate terms like 'extend the lease', 'renew the rent agreement', and 'transportation cost'. There are a few minor inaccuracies, such as 'six-months lease' (should be 'six-month lease') and 'more then' (should be 'more than'). While the vocabulary is functional and fits the context well, it lacks a wider range of less common or more sophisticated collocations that would elevate the response to a higher band. However, the meaning is always clear, and the word choice is generally accurate.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. Most of your sentences are clear and grammatically sound. However, there are some punctuation and grammatical slips, such as the run-on sentence in the third paragraph ('...with the apartment it's heating system...') and the incorrect use of 'then' instead of 'than'. Additionally, there are minor issues with article usage and possessive forms. Despite these occasional errors, your control of grammar is generally good, and the mistakes do not impede the reader's understanding of your request.

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

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