Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-09-20

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 7.5)

Dear Mr Ramone,

I am writing to request a three-month extension to the tenancy agreement for Apartment 21.

I initially rented the apartment five months ago under a six-month agreement. As the agreement is due to expire next month, I would like to extend it for a further three months.

The reason for this is that there has been a delay in the completion of a work project. As a result, I need to remain in the area longer than I had originally intended

I would also like to bring a maintenance issue to your attention. The paint on the ceiling has started to peel and frequently falls onto the floor in small flakes, making the apartment look untidy. I believe the ceiling needs to be repainted to resolve the problem.

I would be grateful if you could consider extending the agreement and arranging for the ceiling to be repainted. I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely,

Amanda Cyrus

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully and effectively addresses all bullet points outlined in the prompt. You clearly state your desired extension length of three months, explaining it precisely in the sentence 'I would like to extend it for a further three months.' Your explanation regarding why your plans have changed is well-articulated, mentioning a delay in a work project that requires you to stay in the area longer than originally intended. Additionally, you successfully inform the owner about a maintenance issue by detailing the peeling ceiling paint that falls onto the floor. The tone is appropriately formal and polite throughout, maintaining a suitable register for a letter to an apartment owner. All parts of the task are well-developed and communicated with clarity, fulfilling all requirements for a high band score.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

Your letter demonstrates a clear, logical progression of ideas from the initial request to the supporting explanations and final call to action. The layout is professional, beginning with an appropriate salutation ('Dear Mr Ramone,') and closing formally ('Yours sincerely, Amanda Cyrus'). Paragraphing is used effectively, with each distinct point—the extension request, the change of plans, the maintenance issue, and the concluding remarks—housed in its own separate paragraph. Cohesive devices are used naturally and unobtrusively, such as 'As the agreement is due to expire' and 'As a result'. There is no mechanical repetition or faulty referencing, ensuring the reader can follow your message smoothly and effortlessly.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a wide and flexible vocabulary range suited to a formal letter of request. Phrases such as 'tenancy agreement', 'due to expire', 'bring a maintenance issue to your attention', and 'arranging for the ceiling to be repainted' show a high level of lexical control. Word choices are precise, and collocations are used naturally without awkwardness. There are no spelling errors, and vocabulary is deployed with appropriate stylistic awareness for corresponding with a landlord or property owner, allowing you to convey your message accurately and fluently.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The response exhibits a wide variety of grammatical structures, successfully blending simple sentences for clear statements with complex structures such as conditional and subordinate clauses (e.g., 'As the agreement is due to expire next month, I would like to extend it for a further three months'). The vast majority of your sentences are completely error-free, showcasing excellent control over verb tenses, article usage, and punctuation. There are no intrusive grammatical slips or awkward phrasings that impede communication. Punctuation marks are correctly placed, ensuring that the letter reads smoothly and professionally from start to finish.

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

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