Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-28

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 Mr. John,

I am writing this letter to draw your attention towards my lease agreement which is going to expire next month. I rented your apartment only for six-month before because my job was temporary at that moment but now it is changed towards full-time permanent position.

I want to renew my lease agreement for next two years as my job contract is of same tenure. Moreover, this location is perfect for me as my workplace is just 5km from here and it is easy to commute as public bus stop is just around the corner of the street.

I really appreciate if you install the new windows which you planned to change after I leave the house before as well as there is leakage in the kitchen from water supply under the sink which needs immediate repair. If you need any further information or documents to extend my lease please feel free to contact me. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Yours sincerely,

Gurwinder Singh

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The letter successfully addresses all three bullet points required by the prompt. You clearly state the desired duration of the extension (two years), explain the change in your employment status as the reason for your plans, and identify specific maintenance issues (the windows and the kitchen leak). The tone is appropriate for a formal letter to a landlord. The ideas are relevant and well-developed, ensuring the reader understands your situation and your requests. To reach a higher band, ensure that the transition between the request for the extension and the mention of the maintenance issues is slightly smoother, perhaps by acknowledging that you hope to maintain the property well during your extended stay.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The letter follows a logical structure, with each paragraph focusing on a specific aspect of the task. You use basic cohesive devices such as 'Moreover' and 'If you need' to link ideas effectively. However, the progression between the second and third paragraphs is slightly abrupt. While the paragraphing is clear, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat functional rather than sophisticated. To improve, try to vary your linking words and ensure that the flow between the request for the lease extension and the maintenance complaints feels more integrated rather than like a list of separate points.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'lease agreement', 'tenure', and 'commute' correctly. There are some minor awkward phrasings, such as 'changed towards full-time permanent position' and 'after I leave the house before as well as', which slightly impact the natural flow. While the vocabulary is sufficient to convey your meaning clearly, it lacks the precision and flexibility required for higher bands. Focusing on more natural collocations and refining your phrasing will help elevate your score in this area.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as 'I am writing this letter to draw your attention...' and 'If you need any further information...'. While the meaning is always clear, there are several grammatical slips, such as 'six-month before' (should be 'six months ago') and 'is of same tenure' (missing an article). Punctuation is generally accurate, but some sentences are slightly clunky. The majority of your sentences are understandable, but the frequency of these minor errors prevents a higher score. Focusing on article usage and prepositional phrases will improve your accuracy.

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

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