Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-10-05

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 Sam,

I hope you are doing well. I am writing to inform you that I wish to stay longer in the apartment. I have initially agreed on a six-months agreement but now I wish to rent it for a longer period possibly for an additional six months.

The reason why I am extending the location is basically because my employer has renewed my work contract for an additional six months. Hence, as I am used to this apartment and the locality, I prefer to stay here itself but of course, if you agree.

However, I would like to highlight a little issue that I have noticed just recently is that there is a small leakage from the roof top. This happened after the heavy rainfall of last week. As it is just above my bed, I am afraid that this could worsened during cyclonic season. I know a job contractor working for my company doing water proofing and if you agree, I can ask him for a quotation.

Please let me know what you have decided and if we need to discuss further about the new agreement, kindly contact me on the number below.

Kind regards,

Faranaz

([redacted phone])

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 8.0

The response covers all three bullet points of the prompt thoroughly and effectively. You successfully stated how long you wish to extend the tenancy, explaining that you would like an additional six months. The explanation for the changed plans—your employer renewing your contract—is clear and well-integrated. Additionally, you successfully introduced a maintenance issue regarding a roof leakage after the heavy rain. All parts of the prompt are well-developed, and the tone is appropriately polite and formal for a letter to an apartment owner. To reach the highest band level, the ideas could be expanded with even richer contextual details, but overall, your response covers all requirements skilfully with no omissions.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.5

Your letter demonstrates a clear logical organization and progression throughout. The opening greeting sets a polite tone, and each paragraph transitions smoothly to a new point: the extension request in paragraph one, the reason behind the change in paragraph two, and the maintenance issue in paragraph three. You make good use of cohesive devices such as 'The reason why', 'Hence', and 'However' to guide the reader through your thoughts. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately to separate distinct ideas. To move closer to the highest standards of cohesion, ensure that referencing and paragraph transitions are entirely seamless and unobtrusive.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.5

You demonstrate an adequate to sufficient range of vocabulary for the task, successfully attempting less common items such as 'extended the location', 'quotation', and 'water proofing'. However, there are some minor inaccuracies in word choice and collocation, such as 'extending the location' instead of 'extending the lease' or 'staying longer', and the misspelling 'water proofing' instead of 'waterproofing'. Additionally, phrases like 'a little issue' could be elevated for a more formal register. Despite these occasional errors in word choice and spelling, your vocabulary allows the message to be communicated clearly and effectively.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 7.0

Your letter shows a good control of grammar and punctuation, featuring a mix of simple and complex sentence structures with frequent error-free sentences. You successfully handle complex clauses, such as in the sentence 'As it is just above my bed, I am afraid that this could worsened during cyclonic season.' However, there are a few persistent grammatical errors, such as tense consistency and form issues ('I have initially agreed' instead of 'I initially agreed', and 'could worsened' instead of 'could worsen'). Punctuation and prepositions are generally well managed, and these minor errors rarely impede communication.

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