Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-30
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 Mayank
I am writing this letter to ask for an extension on my original lease.
I am looking for 2 months of extension on my our rent agreement if possible as it is ending by next month and I wish to continue my stay at your place due to two unforeseen reasons. Firstly, I was on an assignment from my employer in this city and it was for 6 months but I got to know that it is extended by 2 months and I will be moving back after that. Secondly, I tried to find another temporary accmodation but due to my requirement is only for short duration I am unable to find one.
On the other hand, I wish to let you know some problems which needs to be fixed if I have to stay. Although heating unit was installed last month I still struggle with hot water in the master bedroom. In addition, while all flooring is in great shape there is a minor crack on flooring of the foyer unit. I hope on getting an extension on my duration of stay as well as promt resolution on issues.
Your
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 6.0 |
| Overall | 7.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5
You have successfully addressed all three bullet points in the prompt: specifying the desired extension, explaining the change in plans, and reporting maintenance issues. The tone is appropriate for a formal letter to a landlord. The ideas are relevant and clearly presented, ensuring the reader understands your request and the context behind it. To reach a higher band, you could provide slightly more detail regarding the specific dates of the extension or the urgency of the repairs, but overall, the task is fully covered.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0
The letter is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a closing. You use transition signals such as 'Firstly', 'Secondly', and 'In addition' to guide the reader through your points. However, the cohesion is occasionally mechanical, and there are some minor issues with referencing and flow, such as the slightly awkward transition 'On the other hand' to introduce the maintenance problems, which is not the most natural fit for this context. Paragraphing is used effectively to separate the request from the maintenance issues.
Lexical Resource — Band 6.5
You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'unforeseen reasons', 'assignment', and 'resolution'. There are some minor errors in word choice and collocation, such as 'accmodation' (spelling error) and 'foyer unit' (slightly unnatural phrasing). Additionally, 'promt' is misspelled. 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 ensuring accurate spelling will help improve your score in this area.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0
You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical slips, such as 'due to my requirement is only' (should be 'due to the fact that my requirement is...'), 'problems which needs' (subject-verb agreement error), and 'hope on getting' (incorrect preposition). Despite these errors, the meaning remains clear throughout the letter. To improve, pay closer attention to subject-verb agreement and the correct use of prepositions following verbs and adjectives. Increasing the variety of complex structures while maintaining accuracy would also be beneficial.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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