Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · 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 7.0)

Dear Mr Smith,

I hope you are doing well. I am writing to inform you that I want to extend my stay in the apartment. As i started renting this appartment with six-month agreement which is going to end soon and we need to make a new agreement.

Firstly, I would like to mention that I want to rent your apartment for two years now because I am impressed with its tranquility and maintaince. Moreover, amount of rent is worth it as compared to the other buildings in this area.

Secondly, reason I have changed my plan of leaving this city is due to the job i got recently. Previously, I was studying here and plan was to change the city to get the better job opportunities. However, luckily, a famous organization hired me as an assistant manager and i have two years contract with them.

Finally, I would like to tell you that stove in my kitchen is old and it is not working normally. It takes long time to cook any food. I would appreciate it if you could replace it or repair it at your earliest convenience.

Thank you for your understanding. I look forward to your reply.

Yours sincerely,

Raj

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 8.0

The letter covers all three required points clearly: you request a two-year extension, explain that a new assistant-manager job has changed your plans, and report that the kitchen stove is not working properly. The reasons are relevant and sufficiently developed; for example, you connect the job to a two-year contract, which supports the requested rental period. The problem is also described with a practical effect—cooking takes a long time—and you make a clear request for repair or replacement. The polite opening and closing suit the purpose and relationship. To make the response even more complete, clarify whether the two-year rental would begin when the current agreement ends, and specify what “not working normally” means if you can. Overall, the purpose and details are handled effectively.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0

The information follows a clear, sensible order: you introduce the request, explain why you want to stay, give the reason your plans changed, and then raise the stove problem. Paragraphing helps the reader distinguish these points, and the letter format is appropriate. Linking expressions such as “Firstly,” “Secondly,” and “Finally” make the progression easy to follow, although their repeated, list-like use is somewhat mechanical. The sentence about the current agreement ending and needing a new one also interrupts the opening slightly before the main reasons are presented. For a more natural flow, use fewer numbered transitions and connect related ideas directly—for example, link the job contract to the two-year extension. Overall, the organisation is clear and the reader can follow the message without difficulty.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use an adequate range of vocabulary for the letter and communicate the key points clearly. Phrases such as “extend my stay,” “job opportunities,” “assistant manager,” and “at your earliest convenience” are appropriate to the situation, and “tranquility” helps explain what you value about the apartment. However, some word choices and collocations are inaccurate or less natural, including “six-month agreement,” “amount of rent is worth it,” and “the stove … is not working normally.” There are also spelling errors in “appartment” and “maintaince,” as well as inconsistent capitalisation of “I.” These do not prevent understanding, but they limit precision. Aim for more natural combinations such as “six-month lease,” “the rent is reasonable,” and “the stove is malfunctioning,” and proofread spelling carefully.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

The letter includes both simple sentences and attempts at more complex structures, such as “Previously, I was studying here and plan was to change the city…” and “I would appreciate it if you could replace it or repair it…”. Most meaning remains clear, and the request is expressed politely. Some grammatical errors remain, however. In “As i started renting this appartment with six-month agreement,” the clause is incomplete and needs a main clause; “I started renting the apartment under a six-month agreement” would be a sounder construction. Other examples include “reason I have changed my plan” (missing “the”) and “I have two years contract” (missing an article). Capitalise “I” consistently and check articles and sentence completeness. More accurate control of these patterns would strengthen the writing.

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