Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-09-03

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 Sir,

I am writing regarding the six-month lease agreement I signed five months ago. Although I originally planned to stay in the apartment for only six months, I would now like to extend my tenancy for a total of 18 months.

The main reason for this change is that I have become very comfortable living in the area. I recently explored the neighbourhood and discovered a beautiful conservation area with several long, well-maintained walking trails. In addition, the location of the building is extremely convenient. It is close to a shopping complex, and having a grocery store next door is an added advantage.

I would also like to bring one issue in the apartment to your attention. The hot water supply seems to be limited, as hot water is usually available only in the morning. This has been quite inconvenient, particularly in the evenings. I would appreciate it if you could look into this matter.

I look forward to hearing from you regarding both the lease extension and the hot water issue.

Yours faithfully,

Hirdey

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The letter fully addresses all three bullet points in the prompt. You clearly state the desired extension period (18 months), provide a logical explanation for your change in plans (the neighbourhood's amenities), and describe the specific maintenance issue regarding the hot water. 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 relevant, meeting all requirements of the task effectively.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The letter is well-organized with a clear logical progression. Each paragraph focuses on a single topic, and the transition between the request for extension, the reasoning, and the maintenance issue is smooth. You use cohesive devices such as 'Although', 'In addition', and 'particularly' effectively to link ideas. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the overall structure follows the standard conventions of a formal letter, making the text easy to follow throughout.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary suitable for a formal request. Phrases such as 'lease agreement', 'extend my tenancy', 'added advantage', and 'bring one issue to your attention' are used accurately and naturally. The vocabulary is precise and contributes to the professional tone of the letter. There are no significant errors in word choice or collocation, and the language used is more than sufficient to convey your message clearly and effectively.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The grammar is highly accurate, with a variety of complex sentence structures used correctly. For example, the use of subordinate clauses in 'Although I originally planned...' and 'The hot water supply seems to be limited, as hot water is usually available...' shows good control. Punctuation is used correctly throughout, and there are no grammatical errors that impede communication. The writing is fluent and demonstrates a high level of control over English syntax.

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

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