Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · 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 8.0)

Dear Jhand,

I hope you are doing well. I am writing to ask about extending my lease agreement for this apartment. I would like to extend my lease for another year because of my studies.

I would like to explain why I need to extend my lease. My studies will be completed next year, and it would be very difficult for me to move to another apartment while I am studying. Moreover, I have college five days a week, and I work on weekends. Therefore, I have decided to extend my current lease instead of moving to another place.

Furthermore, I would like to inform you about an issue that I have been facing in the apartment, which is related to the hot water. Sometimes, hot water does not come from the taps, which is a major problem for me, especially during the winter. Could you please arrange for it to be repaired as soon as possible?

I hope you will consider my request. Please let me know if you require any further information from me.

Yours sincerely,

Madhu Bala

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The letter successfully addresses all three bullet points required by the prompt. You clearly state the desired extension period (one year), explain the change in plans due to academic commitments, and describe the hot water issue. The tone is appropriate for a formal request to a landlord. The ideas are well-developed and relevant, ensuring the reader understands your situation and the urgency of the repair request. The response is fully focused on the task requirements throughout.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The letter is well-organized with a clear logical progression. Each paragraph focuses on a specific requirement of the task, which helps the reader follow your points easily. You use appropriate cohesive devices such as 'Moreover', 'Therefore', and 'Furthermore' to link your ideas. The opening and closing salutations are standard and appropriate for a formal letter. The paragraphing is logical and contributes to the overall clarity of the message.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to communicate your message clearly and effectively. Phrases like 'extending my lease agreement' and 'arrange for it to be repaired' are accurate and fit the context well. While the vocabulary is functional and precise, it is mostly standard. To reach a higher band, you could incorporate more sophisticated collocations or slightly more varied descriptive language regarding the apartment issue, though the current level is perfectly adequate for this task.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The writing is largely error-free and demonstrates good control over sentence structure. You use a mix of simple and complex sentences effectively, such as 'I am writing to ask about extending my lease agreement' and 'Sometimes, hot water does not come from the taps, which is a major problem for me'. Punctuation is used correctly throughout. There are no significant grammatical errors that impede communication, and the majority of your sentences are accurate.

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

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