Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-09-30

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 Sir,

I hope you are doing well. I am writing to request that I would like to stay in the apartment for longer than the six months. I changed my mind about it.

I would like to stay in the flat for a year. Because I do not want to leave it. As I am familiar with many people and my job is going well. But I am not sure that I am here for a year only, if my job will going well, then i would like to stay here.

My plans have changed because I might thought that i get a PR within six months. But it is not possible as I discuss with my lawyer and he asked me to stay in Ontario. Since I am working in Eye hospital. As a result, this job helps me to get a Permanet Residence. Therefore, I decided to live here for longer.

Recently, I am facing a issue right now is there are mices. They are disturbing my slee, as well as eating breads daily. I do not understand where they came from ? Please help me to get rid of them.

I hope you will understand me. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Yours faithfully,

Rajandeep Kaur

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

The student covers all bullet points required by the prompt, successfully stating the desired rental duration, explaining the change in plans regarding a permanent residence process and job stability, and mentioning the maintenance issue regarding mice. However, the development of some points is slightly limited and repetitive, such as the explanation of job circumstances. The tone is generally appropriate for a semi-formal letter to a landlord, opening with 'Dear Sir' and closing appropriately. Despite some minor structural weaknesses in how the ideas are elaborated, all aspects of the task are adequately addressed, positioning this response firmly at Band 6.0.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The letter is arranged into logical paragraphs, each tackling a different part of the prompt, such as duration, reasons, and the apartment problem. Cohesive devices are used, though sometimes awkwardly, as seen with sentence fragments like 'Because I do not want to leave it' or 'Since I am working in Eye hospital.' Paragraphing is used sufficiently to structure the letter, and the overall progression is clear despite minor mechanical errors in referencing and cohesive transitions. The layout follows standard letter conventions. This performance aligns well with the Band 6 descriptor for coherence and cohesion.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

The student demonstrates an adequate vocabulary for the task, attempting some less common phrases such as 'consideration,' 'familiar with,' and 'Permanet Residence' (spelling error). There are noticeable vocabulary and spelling errors, such as 'mices' instead of 'mice' and 'slee' instead of 'sleep,' alongside minor lexical inaccuracies like 'eating breads daily.' However, the meaning remains clear throughout the response, and the range of vocabulary is sufficient to communicate the necessary information. This meets the criteria for Band 6.0.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The student uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but control over grammar is inconsistent. There are several grammatical errors and punctuation flaws, such as 'I am writing to request that I would like to stay,' sentence fragments ('Because I do not want to leave it'), and errors with verb tenses ('Recently, I am facing a issue right now is there are mices'). While these errors are frequent, they rarely impede overall communication as the reader can easily understand the intended meaning. This balance of mixed structures and persistent errors is characteristic of Band 5.5.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.