Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-10-27

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 5.5)

Dear Mr.Smith,

I am writing to inform to you to that my plan has changed for my stay at your apprtment from six-months to two-months.

Initially, I agreed to stay here for six-months and also signed the contract but due to unforeseen circumstances, I have to move to other city. For that I may need you help with reducig the timeline on the agreement.

Apart from this matter I also facing some difficulties in the apratment as the heating system has not been working from last Monday. I asked maintainance person help, but still have not recieved their response.I would appreciate it if you could either send a maintainace person or replce the system with new one as soon as possible.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to your prompt response to these matters.

Yours sincerly,

Margee

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.0

The letter addresses the main situation and includes a reason for the change and a heating problem, but the central request is unclear and does not fulfil the task. You say your plan has changed “from six-months to two-months,” which suggests a shorter stay, whereas the prompt asks to extend the original six-month agreement; you also do not state how long you now want to rent for. The move to another city gives a reason, but it conflicts with wanting to stay longer and needs clarification. The heating issue is relevant, though the request for repair is more clearly expressed. The response is also 9 words below the required minimum. State the intended rental period explicitly and develop a consistent explanation.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The information is arranged in a generally coherent sequence: you introduce the change in plans, explain the circumstances, raise the heating issue, and close politely. Paragraphing helps distinguish the two main topics, and phrases such as “Apart from this matter” signal a transition. However, the first paragraph’s request is difficult to follow because the change from six months to two months conflicts with the task, and “For that” does not clearly connect the move to a request to alter the agreement. The transition into the apartment problem is understandable but slightly mechanical. To improve progression, make the rental request explicit, then explain the reason, and use a clear transition to the separate maintenance issue.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use a suitable range of basic formal-letter vocabulary, including “unforeseen circumstances,” “agreement,” “heating system,” and “I would appreciate it if.” These choices communicate the main topics and maintain a polite tone. However, several spelling errors and inaccurate word forms reduce precision, including “apprtment,” “reducig,” “maintainance,” and “sincerly.” Some expressions are also unnatural or imprecise: “inform to you to that” and “asked maintainance person help” do not form clear, idiomatic phrases. Use standard collocations such as “inform you that,” “request a change to the agreement,” and “contact a maintenance worker.” Proofreading spelling and choosing more natural phrases would make the message easier to read.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The letter includes both simple sentences and attempts at more complex structures, such as “due to unforeseen circumstances, I have to move to other city” and the conditional request beginning “I would appreciate it if.” The overall meaning is usually recoverable, but some grammatical errors affect clarity. For example, “I am writing to inform to you to that” has an incorrect verb pattern, while “I also facing” is missing an auxiliary verb. There are also problems with articles and prepositions in “move to other city” and “has not been working from last Monday.” Use “inform you that,” “I am also facing,” “another city,” and “since last Monday.” More accurate sentence patterns and careful punctuation would strengthen control.

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

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