Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-10-30

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 Sir or Madam,

I am writing to ask if I may stay in the apartment for at least another two years. I have enrolled in a full-time postgraduate computer science programme at Norquest College which is about a ten-minute walk from the apartment. My friend and I are live in the same building and enrolled together in the same course. That is the reason 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. They refused my application for the course and I planned to move to another city. I had a six month contract with my company at work. Therefore, I stayed here to complete the commitment for work. As I enrolled in the course my plans have changed.

There is also a problem in the apartment- a tap in the kitchen is leaking. I would appreciate it if you could arrange for the tap to be repaired or replaced as soon as possible. I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours faithfully,

Yoyo

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.5

The letter addresses all three required points clearly: you request an extension, explain that you have enrolled in a postgraduate programme nearby, and report the leaking kitchen tap with a practical repair request. The specific duration, “at least another two years,” makes your request clear, and the explanation about the course being full previously gives useful context for the change in plans. The main limitation is that the account of your earlier work commitment is somewhat difficult to follow: “I had a six month contract with my company at work” does not clearly explain how it affected your decision to move. Clarifying this link and developing the reason for choosing a two-year extension would make the ideas more fully supported and precise.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The letter has a sensible overall structure: the extension request and current study plans come first, the history of your changed plans follows, and the apartment problem and closing request appear at the end. This makes the purpose easy to identify. However, the progression within the second paragraph is not always smooth. The sequence from the course being full, to planning to move, to a work contract, and then staying in the city requires the reader to infer some connections. Phrases such as “That is the reason” and “Therefore” also make the links somewhat mechanical. Use clearer transitions and make the cause-and-effect relationship explicit; this would strengthen the otherwise coherent organisation.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.5

You use enough vocabulary to communicate the situation and make a polite request, including “postgraduate computer science programme,” “commitment,” and “arrange for the tap to be repaired or replaced.” These choices suit a formal letter, and the apartment problem is described precisely. Some wording is less natural or precise, such as “a course from last year,” “the course was full,” and “a six month contract with my company at work.” The phrase “go together for the classes” is also understandable but not idiomatic. These occasional collocation and word-choice issues do not prevent understanding, but they limit the flexibility and naturalness of the vocabulary. Aim for more exact expressions when describing your study history and employment.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.5

The response includes a useful mix of simple and complex sentences, for example “I would appreciate it if you could arrange for the tap to be repaired or replaced” and “I have been looking for a course… as I am keen to continue my studies.” Most meaning remains clear, but some grammatical errors occur. “My friend and I are live” incorrectly combines two verb forms; write “My friend and I live.” In “I have been looking for a course from last year,” the time expression does not fit the present perfect construction; “since last year” is appropriate. “A six month contract” also needs a hyphen when used as a compound adjective: “a six-month contract.” Greater control of verb forms and time expressions would improve accuracy.

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

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