Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-27

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 8.0)

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am writing to ask if it would be possible for my current six month tenancy agreement for another six months. I have been very comfortable living in the apartment and would ideally want to stay until the end of the year.

When I initially rented the apartment, I expected to move to another city after completing my studies. However, my plans have recently changed because I have decided to continue working in this area. Therefor, it would be much more convenient for me to remain in the same apartment rather than look for another place to live.

There is, however, a problem in the apartment that I would like to bring to your attention. The heating system in the bedroom has not been working properly for the past two weeks. Although I have tried adjusting the thermostat, the room remains quite cold, particularly at night. I would be grateful if you could arrange for someone to inspect and repair it at your earliest convenience.

I hope you will consider my request to extend the tenancy. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Yours faithfully,

Meghavi

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

You have successfully addressed all three bullet points in the prompt. You clearly stated the desired extension period, provided a logical reason for the change in plans, and described the heating issue in sufficient detail. The tone is appropriate for a formal letter to a landlord, and the purpose of the communication is clear from the outset. The response is well-structured and covers all requirements of the task effectively.

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 makes the information easy to follow. You have used appropriate cohesive devices such as 'However', 'Therefore', and 'Although' to link your ideas effectively. The paragraphing is logical and contributes to the overall clarity of the message. The flow between the request for an extension and the mention of the maintenance issue is smooth and professional.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for a formal letter. Phrases like 'tenancy agreement', 'bring to your attention', and 'at your earliest convenience' are used correctly and fit the context well. There is a minor spelling error ('Therefor' should be 'Therefore'), but this does not impede communication. Your word choice is generally precise and natural, showing a good command of language suitable for this type of task.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

You use a variety of sentence structures, including complex sentences with 'although' and 'if' clauses, which are handled accurately. The majority of your sentences are error-free. There is a small grammatical slip in the first sentence: 'ask if it would be possible for my current six month tenancy agreement for another six months' is missing a verb (e.g., 'to extend'). Despite this, the meaning remains clear, and your control over punctuation and tense is generally strong throughout the letter.

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

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