Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-10-21

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 Annie,

I am writing this letter to inform you that there have been changes to my course at the university, so I have to extend my stay.

I have to extend my lease for another 4 months, but I have talked to a few of my friends and realtors to find a new place. We have been searching for the past few weeks, but they are quite expensive. I need you to please consider my extended stay for another month.

At my university, there have been some additions to my studies, which include a mandatory internship with a local- based company which is affiliated with the university, so they can verify the credentials. Only after that will I be granted my graduation certificate.

I recently noticed that there has suddenly been an increased number of house flies and cockroaches, especially around the kitchen area. It might be a good idea to get pest control done soon before they spread more.

Your Faithfully,

Subhash

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You cover all three required points: you request more time, explain the university internship requirement, and report flies and cockroaches in the kitchen. The reason for staying is relevant and reasonably specific, but the requested duration is unclear: you first say “another 4 months” and then ask to stay “for another month.” This makes it difficult for Annie to know the actual extension you want. The apartment problem is identified, though you could clarify whether you are asking the owner to arrange pest control. The letter’s purpose is clear, but the conflicting request and limited development of some details mean the task is only partly fulfilled. State one consistent end date or extension period and make the requested action explicit.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The letter has a recognisable sequence: you introduce the change, discuss the extension, explain the university requirement, and then mention the pest problem. Paragraphing helps separate these topics. However, the progression is not fully clear because the second paragraph says you need four more months, then asks for one more month; this disrupts the reader’s understanding of the central request. The connection between searching for a new place and asking Annie for an extension could also be made more explicit. Some linking is effective, such as “Only after that,” but the letter would be easier to follow if each paragraph had a clear purpose and the extension request were stated consistently.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.5

You use a suitable range of vocabulary for a practical letter, including “mandatory internship,” “affiliated with the university,” “credentials,” and “pest control.” These choices communicate the situation clearly and show some flexibility beyond basic wording. There are a few awkward or imprecise combinations, however: “local-based company” is not a natural expression, and “increased number of house flies” would be more idiomatic as “increase in the number of houseflies.” “Get pest control done” is understandable but informal for a letter to a landlord. The closing “Your Faithfully” is also an incorrect formula. More natural collocations and consistently appropriate formal expressions would strengthen the overall control.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 7.0

You demonstrate a useful range of sentence forms, including complex clauses: “there have been changes to my course … so I have to extend my stay” and “Only after that will I be granted my graduation certificate.” Several sentences are accurate and easy to understand, and the conditional phrasing in “It might be a good idea” is controlled. A few grammatical and punctuation issues remain. In “a local- based company,” the hyphenation and spacing are incorrect, while “Your Faithfully” should be “Yours faithfully.” The sentence beginning “At my university” is long and would benefit from clearer punctuation or division into two sentences. Overall, grammar is generally well controlled, with a few errors that do not prevent understanding.

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