Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-10-06

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 6.5)

Dear Mr Smith,

I am writing to request you for an extension on my renting agreement, which is going to expire on next month.

I want to extend my stay for another six months. I know that, when I was renting this appartment it was cleared mentioned by your side that, I have to vacate this place in six-months.

I am working on a project, where me and my team is developing an App. At the begining the dead-line was expected to be this month end. However, due to some unforeseen circumstances had generated and the project got extented. On top of that, this project is very important for my career growth and I am expecting a manager position in my London team, which is a huge opportunity for me.

I also want to bring a small issue to your notice that the kitchen's sink tap is leaking, which has to be fixed quickly to avoid any further severe problems in the furture.

I hope your immediate attention to this matter and understand the situation.

Your's faithfully,

Paul

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.0

The letter addresses all three requirements clearly: you request a further six months, explain that the project has been delayed and that the opportunity could support your career, and report the leaking kitchen tap. The reasons for staying are relevant and supported with specific context, particularly the expected manager position in your London team. The request and the problem are also easy to identify. To make the response more fully developed, clarify the proposed new end date or when the extension would begin, and give a little more detail about the repair you are requesting. A more direct closing request for the owner’s agreement would also strengthen the purpose of the letter.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0

The information follows a clear, useful sequence: you make the extension request, explain the changed circumstances, raise the maintenance issue, and close politely. Paragraphing separates these purposes effectively, while links such as “However” and “On top of that” show how the ideas relate. The reader can follow the letter without difficulty. Some connections could be more precise: the opening says the agreement expires “next month,” but the letter does not explicitly connect this to the date from which the extra six months would run. The final sentence also feels abrupt because it does not clearly state what response you expect. A more explicit transition into the repair request and a complete closing request would make the progression smoother.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use an adequate range of vocabulary for the situation, including “extension,” “unforeseen circumstances,” “career growth,” and “immediate attention.” These choices communicate the main points, and the tone is generally appropriate for writing to a landlord. However, some word choices and collocations are inaccurate or awkward, such as “request you for an extension,” “the project got extented,” and “severe problems in the furture.” There are also spelling errors, including “appartment,” “begining,” and “dead-line.” These do not prevent understanding, but they reduce precision and polish. Aim to use standard collocations and check spelling carefully, especially in key requests and explanations.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The letter includes both simple statements and attempts at more complex sentences, for example the explanation beginning “However, due to…” and the sentence describing the project and career opportunity. The overall meaning remains clear, but some grammatical errors affect accuracy. In “I am writing to request you for an extension,” the verb pattern is incorrect; “I hope your immediate attention to this matter and understand the situation” is also incomplete. Other examples include “when I was renting this appartment it was cleared mentioned” and “me and my team is developing,” where clause structure and subject–verb agreement need attention. Practise complete sentence patterns, agreement, and verb forms, then proofread punctuation around longer clauses.

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

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