Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-31

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 Sir,

I hope this message finds you well. The purpose of my writing today is to request you to extend my rental agreement (for apartment number 34) which is ending this coming month.

I completely understand that this is short notice, but it would be helpful if you could continue my agreement for the next six months. I am also willing to pay the penalty fees for the late notice.

You may have recall that when we first signed documents, I mentioned that my employment contract might get extended according to my work performance. So, yesterday, my employer mentioned that I performed really well at my job and they want me to stay with them for the next half year. Consequently, I need to extend my apartment contract too.

Although this place is so comfortable and perfect for me, the water system sometimes starts malfunctioning. The kitchen tap does not properly run hot water especially in winters. I would appreciate it if you could look into this matter at your earliest convenience.

Thank you so much for your time and consideration.

Yours sincerely,

Gurkirat Kaur

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The letter successfully addresses all three bullet points in the prompt. You clearly state the desired extension period (six months), provide a logical reason for the change in plans (employment contract extension), and report the maintenance issue regarding the water system. 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 the response is fully relevant to the task instructions, meeting all requirements for a high band score.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The letter is logically organised with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph serves a distinct purpose, moving from the request to the explanation and finally the maintenance issue. Cohesive devices such as 'consequently', 'although', and 'in addition' are used effectively to link sentences. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the flow of information is smooth, making the letter easy to follow. There is a clear sense of structure throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary suitable for a formal letter. Phrases such as 'at your earliest convenience' and 'consideration' are used correctly. While the vocabulary is generally accurate and natural, there are minor areas for improvement, such as the phrasing 'water system sometimes starts malfunctioning', which could be more precise. Overall, the lexical range is sufficient to convey your message clearly and professionally without any significant errors in word choice or collocation.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The letter displays a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several error-free sentences, and your control of grammar is generally strong. However, there are a few minor slips, such as 'You may have recall' (should be 'recalled') and 'especially in winters' (usually 'in winter'). These errors are infrequent and do not impede communication. The punctuation is generally accurate, and the formal tone is maintained throughout the writing.

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

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