Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-09-28

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 sir,

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing to ask if I could continue renting my apartment after my current six-month agreement ends. I would like to extend the rental period for another year, if possible.

When I first rented the apartment, I planned to stay for only six months because I expected to move to another city for work. However, my plans have recently changed because I have been offered a longer-term position with my current company. As my workplace is close to the apartment and I am comfortable living here, I would prefer to stay rather than move.

However, there is one problem with the apartment that I would like you to know about. The heating system is not working properly for the past two weeks. I would appreciate it if you could arrange for someone to inspect and repair it soon.

Please let me know whether extending the agreement for another year would be possible. I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours faithfully,

Arshpreet Kaur

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 8.0

The response fully covers all three bullet points required in the task instructions. First, the writer clearly states how long they wish to extend the rental period for ('another year'). Second, the change in plans is logically explained by the offer of a longer-term position with their current company and the convenience of the apartment's location. Third, a specific maintenance issue is introduced and clearly described ('The heating system is not working properly for the past two weeks'). The tone is appropriate for a semi-formal letter to a landlord, and the purpose is maintained throughout. The student successfully meets all communicative requirements of the task.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0

The letter is logically organised into clear paragraphs, each serving a distinct communicative purpose. The opening greeting is slightly redundant ('Dear sir, Dear Sir or Madam'), but this minor lapse does not impede the flow of the letter. Cohesive devices such as 'However', 'When I first rented', and 'As my workplace' are used naturally and effectively to connect ideas and signal transitions between the past, present, and future. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the introduction, background explanation, maintenance request, and conclusion, resulting in a cohesive and easy-to-read text.

Lexical Resource: Band 7.0

The vocabulary used is generally accurate and appropriate for the context of renting an apartment. The student demonstrates a sufficient range of vocabulary to handle the task flexibly, using less common phrases such as 'longer-term position', 'inspect and repair', and 'extending the agreement'. Word choice and collocations are generally natural, although the opening salutation contains a duplicated error ('Dear sir, Dear Sir or Madam'). Aside from this minor slip, the lexical resource is well controlled and fully adequate to convey precise meaning without communication difficulties.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 7.0

The writer demonstrates a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures, including conditional clauses ('if possible') and subordinate clauses introduced by 'because' and 'as'. Punctuation is generally accurate. However, there is a noticeable grammatical error in tense usage: 'The heating system is not working properly for the past two weeks' should use the present perfect continuous ('has not been working properly') because the action started in the past and continues into the present. Despite this error, the majority of sentences are error-free and communication is never impeded.

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