Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-11-04

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 Dr Akin,

I am writing to inform you that i would like to extend my current tenancy agreement that will be ending in the next 1 month. I would like it to be extended from the current 6 month agreement to 2 years agreement.

My company has retained me permanently in this branch because our Branch Manager was impressed with my performance, so he discussed it at the management meeting and was approved by the General Manager Moreover, i have searched for apartments but I am not comfortable with the ones i inspected throughout last week.

However, I noticed the shower in my bathroom is not working which makes me fetching water from the outside. I would appreciate that you inform the plumber to repair it.I would be grateful if I can get your response in the next 72 hours.

I look forward to hearing from you shortly.

Yours sincerely,

Kehinde.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.5

The letter addresses all three required points clearly: you request an extension, explain that your employer has retained you permanently and that the alternatives you viewed did not suit you, and report the broken shower. The requested period—two years—is specific, and the repair request and desired response time make the purpose clear. These details give the letter a clear, consistent focus. To make the explanation more fully developed, clarify whether the two-year period would begin after the original agreement ends, and briefly explain why staying in this apartment is preferable to continuing your search. The problem is also clear, though a little more detail about when it began or its impact would strengthen the request.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0

The information follows a sensible sequence: you state your request, explain the change in your plans, raise the maintenance issue, and close politely. Paragraphing helps distinguish these functions, while links such as “Moreover” and “However” show how the ideas relate. The letter is easy to follow overall. Some connections could be more precise: “Moreover” introduces the apartment search, but the relationship between that point and your employer’s decision is not fully clear. The long explanation about the management meeting would also read more smoothly if divided or simplified. Use transitions that make the contrast and cause-and-effect relationships explicit, and keep each paragraph focused on one main purpose.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.5

You use a suitable range of vocabulary for a formal request, including “extend,” “tenancy agreement,” “permanently,” and “repair.” These choices communicate the main points clearly, and the tone is generally appropriate for writing to a landlord. There are, however, some awkward or imprecise expressions that limit naturalness, such as “retained me permanently in this branch,” “not comfortable with the ones i inspected,” and “makes me fetching water from the outside.” “Current” is also repeated in the opening. Aim for more natural collocations and precise wording, for example, say that your employer has made your position permanent and that you viewed other apartments but none met your needs. Check capitalization of “I” as well.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.5

The response includes both straightforward sentences and more complex structures, particularly the explanation beginning “because our Branch Manager was impressed with my performance.” Most of the message remains understandable, but some grammatical errors and punctuation problems prevent consistently accurate control. In “was approved by the General Manager,” the subject of the approval is unclear; “the decision was approved” would make the meaning explicit. “Makes me fetching water” needs a different construction, such as “means I have to fetch water,” and “if I can get your response” would be more accurate as “if I could receive your response.” The sentence about the management meeting also needs clearer punctuation, including a full stop before “Moreover.” Review verb patterns, sentence boundaries, and capitalization.

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