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 Rental Owner,

I am writing this letter regarding the extension of my lease for Unit 8 at 4100 Retallack Street.

I am currently staying in Unit 8, and my lease is going to end tomorrow. I know it is late to inform you, but I would like to extend my lease for another year. We also informed the staff at your main office, but they told me to contact you directly.

However, there have been some changes in our plans. Before signing the lease, we had only decided to stay for six months. However, we love the neighbourhood and the prompt service you provide whenever there is a problem in the house. My housemates and I discussed the matter and came to the final decision that we would like to continue staying here for a few more years.

Furthermore, I would like to inform you that there has been a bug problem in our unit for the last few days. If possible, could you please send one of your maintenance staff members to inspect the unit and solve the problem with appropriate pest control?

I look forward to your prompt response. If you require any documents for the new lease, we can send them to you by email or submit them at the office.

Best regards,

Moksh

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 your desire to extend the lease, provide a logical explanation for the change in plans (enjoying the neighborhood and service), and report the maintenance issue regarding pests. The tone is appropriate for a formal letter to a landlord. The ideas are well-developed and the purpose of the communication is clear from the outset. You have fully satisfied the requirements of the task.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The letter is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a professional closing. Each paragraph focuses on a specific aspect of the task, which aids readability. You use a variety of cohesive devices such as 'Furthermore', 'However', and 'If possible' to link your ideas effectively. The progression of information is smooth, and the paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the request for extension from the report of the maintenance issue.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for a formal business-style letter. Phrases like 'prompt service', 'inspect the unit', and 'appropriate pest control' are used accurately and naturally. While the vocabulary is functional and clear, it remains somewhat standard. To reach the highest bands, you could incorporate slightly more sophisticated collocations or precise terminology related to property management, though your current usage is entirely sufficient for clear and effective communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

Your grammar is generally accurate, and you use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures effectively. For example, the use of conditional structures ('If possible, could you...') and subordinate clauses ('Before signing the lease, we had...') shows good control. There are very few errors, and those that exist do not impede meaning. The punctuation is consistent, and the sentence construction is varied enough to maintain a professional flow throughout the letter.

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

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