Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-09-13

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 or Madam,

I am writing to request an extension of my current tenancy agreement, which is due to expire next month. Although I initially agreed to rent the apartment for six months, I would now like to extend my stay for a further twelve months.

The reason for this change is that my employment circumstances have recently changed. I had originally intended to relocate to another city once my current work assignment came to an end. However, my employer has offered me a permanent position at the same company and, consequently, I no longer have any reason to move. As I have found the apartment particularly convenient for both my workplace and daily needs, I would much prefer to remain here rather than undertake the considerable time and expense involved in finding alternative accommodation.

There is, however, one issue with the apartment that I would appreciate your assistance with. The water heater in the bathroom has been malfunctioning for approximately two weeks. It takes an unusually long time to heat the water and occasionally stops working altogether, which has made it rather difficult to use the bathroom comfortably. I would be grateful if you could arrange for a qualified technician to inspect the heater and carry out the necessary repairs at your earliest convenience.

I have been very satisfied with the apartment and would be pleased to continue living here for another year. Please let me know whether you would be willing to extend the tenancy and if there would be any changes to the existing rental terms.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours faithfully,

Ritesh Shrestha

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response fully addresses all parts of the task prompt in a comprehensive and well-developed manner. The student successfully states the desired extension period, explaining clearly that they wish to extend their stay for an additional twelve months. The explanation for the changed plans is logical and detailed, noting the shift in employment circumstances from a planned relocation to accepting a permanent position at the same company. Furthermore, the letter clearly highlights a maintenance issue regarding the malfunctioning water heater in the bathroom. The tone is appropriate throughout for a formal tenant-to-owner letter. All bullet points are fully covered, and the response demonstrates a clear purpose with well-developed ideas, meeting all criteria for a high band score.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The letter exhibits clear logical organisation and progression from the opening statement to the concluding remarks. Each paragraph has a distinct and unified focus: the first introduces the purpose, the second explains the change in circumstances, the third raises the apartment problem, and the final paragraph discusses future terms. Cohesive devices are used naturally and effectively without being mechanical, as seen in words like 'Consequently', 'However', and 'There is, however, one issue'. Paragraphing is used skillfully and appropriately to separate distinct topics, ensuring the reader can easily follow the flow of information.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

The student demonstrates a wide, fluent, and flexible range of vocabulary appropriate for a formal business-like letter. Less common lexical items are used skillfully, such as 'tenancy agreement', 'relocate', 'malfunctioning', and 'alternative accommodation'. Word choice and collocations are precise and natural, with phrases like 'employment circumstances' and 'qualified technician' enhancing the professional tone of the writing. There are no noticeable spelling or word-choice errors, reflecting a high level of lexical control throughout the entire piece.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The response makes use of a wide range of complex grammatical structures with a high degree of accuracy. The majority of sentences are error-free, and control over punctuation and complex clauses is excellent. Examples include conditional and concessive structures such as 'Although I initially agreed to rent the apartment for six months, I would now like to extend...' and 'As I have found the apartment particularly convenient...'. Minor errors are virtually absent, and the grammatical control easily satisfies the requirements for a high band score.

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

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