Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-25

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 7.5)

Dear Mr Smith,

I am writing to inform you that there have been some changes in plans and I would like to extend my stay in your apartment.

As previously, we had agreed on a six month tenancy agreement, and I was supposed to vacate it by the end of this month. However, I have to extend it now by another six months, from September 2026 to February 2027.

This is because my internship has been extended by another six months. Therefore, I will be staying in the same city for a longer period of time and don't want to move to a new place as I like this apartment.

Moreover, I want to bring it to your notice that the sink faucet in the kitchen has started leaking again. If you could send a plumber soon to have it checked, it would prevent further leaking issues.

I hope my extended stay doesn't cause you any inconvenience, and I look forward to your email with the confirmation of the tenancy extention.

Yours sincerely,

Rashpal Kaur

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response successfully addresses all three bullet points required by the task. You clearly state the desired extension period (six months), provide a logical reason for the change (internship extension), and report the maintenance issue (leaking faucet). 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, meeting all the requirements of the prompt effectively. No parts of the task are omitted, and the information is presented in a logical, easy-to-follow manner.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The letter is well-organized with a clear logical progression. Each paragraph focuses on a specific aspect of the task, which helps the reader follow your points easily. You use appropriate cohesive devices such as 'However', 'Therefore', and 'Moreover' to link your ideas effectively. The paragraphing is sufficient and appropriate for a formal letter. The transition between the request to stay and the mention of the maintenance issue is smooth, and the closing is polite and standard for this type of correspondence.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task. Phrases like 'vacate it', 'tenancy agreement', and 'bring it to your notice' are appropriate and accurate. While the vocabulary is functional and clear, it is generally standard. To reach a higher band, you could incorporate more precise or sophisticated collocations. For example, instead of 'changes in plans', you could use 'a change in my circumstances'. There is one minor spelling error ('extention' should be 'extension'), but this does not impede communication or affect the overall clarity of your message.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The response shows a good control of grammatical structures. You use a mix of simple and complex sentences effectively, such as the conditional structure 'If you could send a plumber soon... it would prevent...'. Most sentences are error-free, and the punctuation is generally accurate. There is a slight redundancy in the phrase 'As previously, we had agreed', which could be simplified to 'As we previously agreed'. Overall, the grammar is strong, and the minor slips do not cause any confusion or difficulty for the reader.

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

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