Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-09-06

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 6.0)

Dear Mr mensah,

I am writing to inform you to tell you my plains of changing my tenancy agreement. The previous one agreed on was 1 January 2026 to june 2026. Due to work schedules I would need an additional 6 months to it so it can now end December 2026.

My plans has changed because my company wants me to stay at this particular town to complete some work before relocating to my actual job place in January 2027. Furthermore , I chose to extend my stay in your house because it is not far from my work place .

I have recently noticed the washing machine is not workin I have followed all the manufacturers instructions and guidelines but it still did not work due to this it has caused me several inconvenience . For instance I have not been able to wash my clothes for the pass one week.

I will be looking forward to hearing from you soon.

Kind regards.

Enyonam.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The letter covers all three bullet points required by the prompt: the duration of the extension, the reason for the change, and the issue with the washing machine. The tone is appropriate for a formal letter to a landlord. However, the development of ideas is somewhat basic. For instance, the explanation regarding the work schedule is clear, but the description of the washing machine problem could be more detailed to ensure the landlord understands the urgency. The letter successfully communicates the writer's intent, and all parts of the task are addressed, meeting the requirements for a Band 6.0.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The letter is logically organized into paragraphs, with each paragraph focusing on a specific aspect of the task. There is a clear progression of ideas from the request to the explanation and finally the maintenance issue. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical and limited. Phrases like 'Furthermore' and 'For instance' are used correctly, but the overall flow between sentences could be improved with more varied linking words. The referencing is generally clear, though the transition between the request and the explanation could be smoother. The structure is sufficient for a Band 6.0.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary is adequate for the task, allowing the writer to convey their message clearly. There are some spelling errors, such as 'plains' instead of 'plans' and 'workin' instead of 'working'. Additionally, there are minor collocation issues, such as 'actual job place' and 'pass one week'. While the range of vocabulary is sufficient to communicate the necessary information, it lacks the flexibility and precision required for higher bands. The errors do not impede communication, but they are noticeable throughout the text, placing this in the Band 6.0 category.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The letter uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors, such as subject-verb agreement issues ('My plans has changed') and missing articles or prepositions ('stay at this particular town'). Punctuation is also inconsistent, particularly with the placement of commas and periods. While the writer attempts complex sentences, these often contain errors that slightly distract the reader. However, the meaning remains clear throughout the letter. Given the frequency of errors and the limited control over complex structures, a Band 5.5 is appropriate.

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

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