Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-29

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 Landlord,

I am writing this letter to formally request an extension of the current lease agreement for renting this apartment for an additional six months. I know that five months ago, during the execution of the lease, I had agreed to rent the apartment for only six months. Because, I was supposed to get relocated to a new city, where I had to lead a new major project assigned by my firm.

However, I received an email from my Senior Manager yesterday stating that the project has been delayed by almost six months, and will now start by 1st June 2026. That's why the initial plan of shifting to a new city has been postponed.

Additionally, I have one more request, if you could please arrange for a plumber to be send to the apartment, as I have observed a leak in the kitchen sink since past few days.

I would be grateful, if you consider my extension to stay request. I am ready to sign the amended lease agreement and I will be fully cooperative with all the necessary steps that will be required, in order to process this request.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Richard

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The letter successfully addresses all three bullet points of the prompt. You clearly state the desired extension length, provide a logical explanation for the change in plans regarding your work project, and report the maintenance issue with the kitchen sink. The tone is appropriate for a formal request to a landlord, and the purpose of the letter is clear from the outset. The ideas are well-developed and relevant, meeting all the 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, and the use of cohesive devices such as 'However', 'Additionally', and 'In order to' helps to link ideas smoothly. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the overall structure is easy to follow. The transition between the request for an extension and the maintenance issue is handled naturally, ensuring the reader can follow the narrative without difficulty.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for a formal letter, such as 'formally request', 'execution of the lease', and 'amended lease agreement'. While the vocabulary is generally accurate and fits the context well, there are minor issues with collocation, such as 'plumber to be send' (should be 'sent') and 'since past few days' (should be 'for the past few days'). These are minor slips that do not impede communication, but more precise phrasing would elevate the score further.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures effectively. There are some grammatical inaccuracies, such as the sentence fragment 'Because, I was supposed to get relocated...' and the incorrect passive construction 'to be send'. Additionally, the comma usage is occasionally intrusive, such as in 'I would be grateful, if you consider...'. Despite these errors, the meaning is always clear, and the majority of your sentences are error-free. Improving control over passive voice and punctuation would help you achieve a higher band.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.