Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-10-26

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 Mr. smith,

I am writing this letter in regards of the agreement for renting an apartment that has been done for six months but unfortunately due to an emergency I have to change my plan and extended it for another month. I would like to request you for one month extension.

I have an important meeting coming up next month on 25th of October and because of that I need some time to do the preparations. My original plan was to leave by end of September but I got the letter from my office that we have received a unexpected tender and I have to work on my project . Moreover, I have to finish my work submit it by the end of next month.

The only problem I will be facing is that when I was about to leave the apartment and a new person was going to come and live here and that person might have to adjust with me. I will be leaving for office early in the morning and working till late nights so I believe there should not be any problem with her privacy. If you could address this issue by talking to her in advance.

It will be great if you consider my request.

Your's faithfully,

Suman Malhi

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You address all three required points: you request an extension, explain the work-related change in plans, and mention the issue of a new tenant potentially sharing the apartment. The request for “one month extension” is clear, and the unexpected tender gives a relevant reason for staying. However, the problem is not explained clearly: it is uncertain whether the new person will move in before your extended stay ends, and what specific action you want the owner to take. The meeting and project deadlines are also presented somewhat confusingly. State the exact additional rental period and clarify the arrangement you are asking the owner to make.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The letter has a recognisable structure, with separate paragraphs for the request, the reason for the change, and the apartment issue. Linking expressions such as “Moreover” and “If you could” help connect ideas, and the overall message can be followed. However, some connections are unclear or mechanical. For example, “The only problem I will be facing is that when I was about to leave…” combines a future concern with a past-time clause, making the sequence difficult to follow. The final request to speak to the new tenant also feels abrupt. Organise the problem paragraph around a clear sequence: explain the overlap, describe the concern, then make a direct request.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use an adequate range of vocabulary for a formal rental letter, including “agreement,” “extension,” “preparations,” and “unexpected tender.” These choices communicate the main points, and the work-related explanation is specific. Some expressions are inaccurate or unnatural, such as “in regards of,” “change my plan and extended it,” and “finish my work submit it.” “Adjust with me” is also unclear for describing a new tenant’s situation. These word-choice and collocation issues do not prevent understanding, but they reduce precision and naturalness. Aim for standard formal phrases such as “regarding the rental agreement,” “extend my stay,” and “complete and submit my work.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mix of simple and complex sentences, including explanations with “because” and a conditional request beginning “If you could…”. The main message remains understandable, but some grammatical errors occur in longer sentences. For example, “I have to change my plan and extended it” mixes verb forms; “a unexpected tender” has an article error; and “I have to finish my work submit it” needs a grammatical link between the actions. The sentence beginning “The only problem…” also shifts awkwardly between future and past forms. Check verb forms and sentence boundaries, and use parallel structures such as “finish my work and submit it.”

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