Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-10-13

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 7.0)

Dear Mr Harrison,

My name is Sebastine Loveday. I live in the apartment B of your property located at No 5 Fire Brigade Close, Maitama, Abuja.

For the past two years I have rented this apartment on 6 month agreement. I recently realised that I might live in this same apartment for another 2 years and as a result wish to change the original agreement to be on yearly basis. My present agreement will elapse on October 30, 2026 and I would want the new agreement to become effective from the 1st day of Novemebr, 2026.

The change on my agreement plan became necessary as a result of my inability to complete my building where I intended to move in 2 years ago due to the high cost of building materials. As a result of this change, I would want the lawyer who is in charge of the agreement to re-write it and make the necessary changes as soon as possible.. I will make required payment immediately I receive a copy of the new agreement.

However, the apartment has some issues that should be worked on. The right side of the roof leaks and leaves the room messy each time it rains. I will be glad if, this issue is addressed as a matter of urgency.

I look forward to your response.

Yours Sincerely

Sebastine Loveday.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.5

The letter clearly addresses all three required points: you request a longer rental period, explain the change in your building plans, and report the leaking roof. The proposed two-year extension and the intended start date make the request specific, while the rising cost of building materials gives a relevant reason for staying. The repair request is also clear and appropriately urgent. To make the response more fully developed, clarify whether you are asking for a two-year extension or a yearly renewal, since “another 2 years” and “on yearly basis” could mean different arrangements. A brief, direct request for the owner’s agreement would also strengthen the purpose of the letter.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0

The information follows a sensible sequence: you identify yourself, explain the rental request and changed circumstances, then raise the maintenance issue and close politely. Paragraphing helps distinguish these purposes, and linking phrases such as “as a result” and “However” guide the reader through the letter. The progression is clear overall, though “as a result” is used repeatedly in close succession, making the connection between ideas slightly mechanical. The agreement details are also concentrated in one long paragraph, where the distinction between a two-year extension and yearly renewal becomes less clear. Use a more varied transition and separate the request, explanation, and proposed agreement terms more distinctly.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.5

You use a suitable range of formal vocabulary for a landlord letter, including “original agreement,” “effective,” “necessary,” and “addressed as a matter of urgency.” These choices communicate the main points clearly and show some awareness of formal register. However, several phrases are not quite natural or precise: “change on my agreement plan,” “re-write it,” and “leaves the room messy” could be expressed more idiomatically. There are also spelling and form slips, notably “Novemebr” and “Sincerely” in the closing. Greater accuracy in collocation and spelling would make the vocabulary more flexible and polished while preserving the clear meaning.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 7.0

The letter includes a useful mix of simple and complex sentences, such as “The change … became necessary as a result of my inability to complete my building … due to the high cost of building materials.” Most sentences are understandable, and the request and explanation are conveyed without difficulty. Some grammatical control is less consistent in sentence construction and punctuation. For example, “For the past two years I have rented this apartment on 6 month agreement” needs an article and a plural form, while “I would want the new agreement to become effective” is an awkward conditional construction. The sentence ending “as soon as possible..” also has incorrect punctuation. Review articles, agreement details, and sentence boundaries to make the complex structures more consistently accurate.

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.