Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-11-05

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

You would like to reduce your working hours in order to study part time.

Write a letter to your boss. In your letter

• explain why you want to reduce your working hours
• say which hours you would like to work
• describe how your part-time studies would benefit your employer

You do NOT need to write any addresses.

Begin your letter as follows:

Dear ....................................,

Student answer (Band 6.0)

Dear Ross,

I am writing to request your approval for reducing my working hours to start part time study.

Firstly, I would like to explain that I just a got a scholarship that will help me to do part time study in Waterloo University without any fee. Moreover this course will help to achieve the goal of becoming a fire alarm inspector.

Secondly, this university have evening batches, that i can opt. The class timing is 4 pm to 9 pm from wednesday to sunday. Therefore, for some weekdays I can only work for 7 hours rather than 8 hours.

Additionally, our company had an open role for this position for a year now, I can fill it by finish this 2 month course. Lastly, my 5 year for company experience can help me to finsh this course with flying course as well as company will get a new asset.

I would be greateful if you could provide a response at your earlist convenience.

Yours Sincerly,

Nav

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

You address all three requested points: you explain that a scholarship enables you to study, specify the evening classes and the reduced hours you are seeking, and describe how the qualification could help fill an open role. The purpose of the letter is clear and the request is appropriately polite. However, the proposed schedule is not fully clear: classes run from Wednesday to Sunday, but you say you could work seven hours only “for some weekdays,” without stating which days or the exact hours you would work. The employer benefit is relevant, especially the vacant position, but the claim that your experience will help you finish the course is less clearly explained. Clarifying the schedule and developing the business benefit would make the response more complete and persuasive.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The letter has a clear overall sequence: you introduce the request, explain your reason, give the class schedule, and then discuss the employer’s benefit before closing politely. Paragraphing and signposting such as “Firstly,” “Secondly,” and “Additionally” help the reader follow the main points. Some linking is mechanical, however, and the progression between ideas could be smoother. For example, “Therefore” introduces the reduced-hours request, but the exact arrangement is not specified; “Lastly” then adds a further benefit without clearly connecting it to the previous point. Grouping the study details together and presenting the proposed work schedule in a direct sentence would improve cohesion and make the letter easier to act on.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use an adequate range of vocabulary for a formal workplace request, including “request your approval,” “scholarship,” “open role,” and “asset.” These choices communicate the main ideas, and the tone is generally suitable. There are some inaccurate or unnatural word choices and collocations, such as “evening batches,” “finish this 2 month course,” and “flying course,” which make parts of the message less precise. Spelling errors in “greateful,” “earlist,” and “Sincerly” also reduce accuracy. Aim for conventional professional phrasing and check spelling carefully; for instance, describe the course as an evening class and explain specifically how the qualification would help the company.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and more complex sentence forms, including a reason clause with “that will help me” and a sentence beginning “Therefore.” The main message remains understandable, but some grammatical errors occur across the letter. Examples include “I just a got a scholarship,” “this university have,” and “my 5 year for company experience,” where word order, subject–verb agreement, and noun forms need attention. The sentence about the class schedule also joins ideas in a way that leaves the proposed arrangement unclear. Use a careful final check for agreement and sentence structure, and make sure each sentence expresses one complete, clearly connected idea. More consistently accurate complex sentences would strengthen the response.

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