Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-09-02

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 5.0)

Dear Mr. Jhone,

I am writing to express my intention about extension of my existing renting period.

I already have a 6 month contract period. However I I would like to extent this contract for anothe 6 month sins I have not finish my University studies.

Due to my University studies I would like to stay in this apartment for another six (6) month If you have not any concerns. Sins I have to complete my degree I will have to spend extra time to study works. I asume within next six month I will be able to complete my university studies.

Moreover, I have to clarify some kind of issue in this apartment. Most of the night time my next door individual plays loud musica, this is badly impact on my study works. I think If you would

AI examiner evaluation

CriterionBand
Task Achievement / Task Response5.0
Coherence and Cohesion5.5
Lexical Resource5.0
Grammatical Range and Accuracy5.0
Overall5.0

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The letter addresses all three bullet points: the duration of the extension, the reason for the change, and the noise issue. However, the response is incomplete as it ends abruptly mid-sentence ('I think If you would'), failing to provide a proper closing or a clear request for action regarding the noise. Furthermore, the response is under the 150-word minimum, which significantly impacts the development of ideas. The tone is generally appropriate for a formal letter, but the lack of a conclusion and the failure to meet the length requirement prevent a higher score.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The letter is organized into paragraphs, but the progression of ideas is hindered by the incomplete nature of the text. Cohesive devices are used, such as 'However' and 'Moreover', but they are sometimes used incorrectly or with spelling errors (e.g., 'sins' instead of 'since'). The referencing is generally clear, but the abrupt ending makes the overall structure feel disjointed and unfinished. To improve, ensure that each paragraph has a clear purpose and that the letter concludes with a polite closing statement.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary is limited and contains several spelling errors that occasionally impede readability, such as 'sins' for 'since', 'asume' for 'assume', and 'musica' for 'music'. The range of vocabulary is basic, relying on repetitive phrasing like 'study works' and 'University studies'. There is little evidence of less common lexical items or idiomatic language. To reach a higher band, you should focus on accurate spelling and expanding your range of vocabulary to include more precise terms related to housing and formal correspondence.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

There are frequent grammatical errors throughout the text, including subject-verb agreement issues ('If you have not any concerns'), tense inconsistencies, and word formation errors ('extension of my existing renting period'). Sentence structures are mostly simple, and attempts at complex sentences are often marred by errors. Punctuation is also inconsistent, particularly with the use of parentheses and the incomplete final sentence. Improving your control over basic sentence structures and proofreading for common grammatical slips will be essential for achieving a higher score.

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

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