Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-10-29

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 5.0)

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing to request to stay in the apartment for atleast another two years because I have enrolled in a full-time postgraduate computer science programme at Norquest College. My College is about a ten minute walk from the apartment. My friend and I are living in the same building and enrolled together in the same course. I would like to stay in this apartment, so that we can go together for the classes.

I have been looking for a course from last year as I am keen to continue my studies. However, I did not get the opportunity because the course was full. As they refused my admission, I planned to move to another city. I was on contract with my company at work for six months. Therefore

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 3.0

You explain that you want to remain for “another two years” and give a relevant reason: your postgraduate programme is nearby. However, the response does not complete the task. It ends abruptly at “Therefore,” and never explains the outcome of your work contract, gives a clear account of why your plans changed, or mentions the required problem in the apartment. The reason for the change is only partly clear because the course was previously full, but the link to your current decision is unfinished. The response is also 17 words below the required minimum. To address the task more fully, complete the explanation and include a specific apartment problem and a request for the owner to resolve it.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.5

The opening establishes the purpose of the letter, and the ideas about the course, its location, and your friend are broadly related. Basic links such as “because,” “However,” and “Therefore” show an attempt to connect information. However, the progression becomes difficult to follow: the account moves from your current enrolment to last year’s unsuccessful application and then to your work contract, before stopping mid-thought. The relationship between these events is not made clear, and there is no closing or paragraphing to separate the request, explanation, and apartment issue. Organise the letter into clear paragraphs and finish each idea before moving to the next; use linking phrases only where the connection is explicit.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use an adequate range of vocabulary for the topic, including “full-time postgraduate computer science programme,” “enrolled,” and “admission.” These choices communicate the educational context clearly, and the reader can understand your main request. Some expressions are less natural or precise, such as “looking for a course from last year” and “go together for the classes.” “My College” is also unnecessarily capitalised in this context. Aim for more idiomatic phrasing and accurate collocations, for example, describe when you began searching and say that you and your friend can attend classes together. The vocabulary is sufficient for the task, but greater precision would make the explanation sound more fluent and formal.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, including a reason clause with “because” and a contrast introduced by “However.” Most of the meaning is understandable, and the sentence about the college being a ten-minute walk away is clear. Some grammatical and punctuation issues remain: “I am writing to request to stay” has an awkward verb pattern, “I have been looking for a course from last year” uses an unsuitable time construction, and “Therefore” is left without a completed sentence. The opening also has a comma after the salutation where a colon or no punctuation may be more appropriate in formal letter style. Practise verb patterns and time expressions, and proofread to ensure every sentence is complete.

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