Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-09-05

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 7.0)

Dear owner,

I am writing to ask if I could extend my rental agreement for another six months. I have been living in the apartment for five months, and I would like to stay for a total of one year.

Initially, I had planned to move to another city after my six-month agreement ended. However, my company has recently offered me a new position at the same workplace, so I will need to remain in this area for longer. I am very comfortable living in the apartment and would therefore prefer to extend my tenancy rather than move elsewhere.

There is, however, one problem with the apartment that I would like you to address. The water heater in the bathroom has not been working properly for the past few days, and the water sometimes becomes cold suddenly. I would be grateful if you could arrange for someone to inspect and repair it as soon as possible.

I look forward to hearing from you about the extension of my rental agreement.

Your faithfully.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The letter fully addresses all three bullet points required by the prompt. You clearly state the desired extension period, provide a logical reason for the change in plans (a new job offer), and describe the specific issue with the water heater. 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 the requirements of the task effectively.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The letter is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph focuses on a specific aspect of the prompt, which aids readability. You use appropriate cohesive devices such as 'Initially', 'However', 'therefore', and 'in addition' to link your thoughts. The paragraphing is sufficient and helps the reader navigate the letter easily. The flow is natural, and the relationship between the ideas is always clear.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary suitable for a formal letter. Phrases such as 'extend my rental agreement', 'remain in this area', and 'arrange for someone to inspect' are precise and contextually appropriate. While the vocabulary is functional and accurate, it stays within a standard range. To reach a higher band, you could incorporate slightly more sophisticated collocations or idiomatic expressions, though the current level is perfectly sufficient for clear and effective communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The letter displays a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. Your control over grammar is generally strong, with accurate use of tenses and modal verbs. There is a minor error in the closing: 'Your faithfully' should be 'Yours faithfully'. Apart from this, the sentences are largely error-free and punctuation is used correctly. The grammatical range is sufficient to convey your message with precision and clarity.

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

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