Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-11-01

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 Madam,

I write to let you know that want to extend the agreement with you on the apartment rented for six months now to two years, because of the new employment I got from Shield Company, as the Manager of the Salesman my Job is going to change so, I need more time to serve the company.

Therefore, I wish to let you know about the repairs that need to be done in the first floor where I stay to make it liveable, the windows frame are bad, alot of dust coverings the kitchen sink, poor water supply and the eradication of bedbug that is disturbing everyone.

Moreover, the present security gates is not closing as it should be, alot of mosquitos in the house including firty grasses around the borehole. The windows need thorough maintenance as well as the Kitchen sink, the water we use for cooking is no longer good and alot of insect inside the tanks.

Almost all the rooms occupy bedbugs that causing alot of uneasiness.

Inconclusion, I will be happy to consider my apply to extend my stay for at least two years more and looking forward for an answer and proper repairs donein the house

yours truly,

Jane

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

You cover all three required points: you request a two-year extension, explain that new employment has changed your plans, and describe several problems, including faulty windows, poor water supply and bedbugs. The purpose is clear, and the request is relevant throughout. This meets the lower-band expectation of addressing every part, while the specific details about the apartment help move the response towards fuller coverage. However, the reason for needing two years is not fully explained: “I need more time to serve the company” is unclear, and the relationship between the new job and the length of the extension could be made more convincing. The repair concerns are detailed but would benefit from clearer prioritisation and a direct request for action.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The letter has a recognisable sequence: it opens with the extension request, moves to repair issues, and ends by asking for a response. Paragraph breaks also separate the main topics. However, progression within the repair section is difficult to follow because many unrelated problems are listed in long sentences, and some points are repeated, such as the windows, sink and bedbugs. Connectors such as “Therefore,” “Moreover,” and “Inconclusion” are used, but they do not always show the relationship between ideas accurately. Grouping the problems into a clear paragraph and using simple links such as “In addition” or “The most urgent issue is…” would make the organisation easier to follow. The closing also needs clearer separation from the final sentence.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use enough topic-related vocabulary to communicate the main concerns, including “extend the agreement,” “water supply,” “security gates,” and “maintenance.” These choices show an attempt to be specific rather than relying only on general words. However, the range is limited and several inaccurate or informal expressions make parts of the letter harder to understand, such as “dust coverings the kitchen sink,” “eradication of bedbug,” and “firty grasses.” Some wording is also imprecise: “the Manager of the Salesman” does not clearly describe the job. Aim for accurate collocations and formal language appropriate for writing to a landlord. For example, describe the water as “unsafe for cooking” and ask for “pest control treatment” rather than using an unclear phrase.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response attempts both simple and longer sentence forms, including a reason clause with “because” and a sequence of requests. However, complex sentences are often difficult to control, and errors in verb forms, agreement, articles and sentence boundaries occur frequently enough to affect clarity. For example, “I write to let you know that want to extend” is missing a subject and uses an unsuitable verb form; “the windows frame are” has an agreement error; and “Almost all the rooms occupy bedbugs that causing” has an unclear structure and missing verb forms. Punctuation also creates run-on sentences, especially in the opening. Use shorter sentences, check that each clause has a subject and verb, and review singular/plural agreement before sending the letter.

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

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