Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-11-13

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 Sir,

I am writing this letter to request to short my work hours at my job.

First of all i would like to introduce myself as Nikhil Dharmani a full time worker of your company from last three years .I have been working in eight hours shift daily from 9am to 5pm.I have selected for masters form lovely professional university in 2027 batch so i would like to pursue tthis degree course.

I would like to Work in evening shifts from 5pm to 8pm along with weekend shifts i will be available for full day as i have to handle my expenses for this course due to my financial condition.

Along with this i would like to inform you that this computer programming course will be helpful for my recent job to elevate my skills and perform my best for firm growth in upcoming years .

I hope that you will understand my situation and allow me to lessen my time at my shifts.Thanks for your coperation.

Yours faithfully,

Nikhil Dharmani

AI examiner evaluation

CriterionBand
Task Achievement / Task Response6.5
Coherence and Cohesion6.5
Lexical Resource5.5
Grammatical Range and Accuracy5.5
Overall6.0

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

The letter addresses all three required points: you explain that you have been accepted onto a master’s course, propose evening and weekend work, and say that programming studies could improve your skills and support the firm’s growth. The purpose is clear and the tone is appropriately polite. The proposed schedule, however, needs clarification: “from 5pm to 8pm” is specific, but it is unclear whether these hours are available every weekday, and “along with weekend shifts” does not say which days or hours. The benefit to the employer is relevant but briefly stated; explain how the new skills would apply to your current duties. These details would make the request more fully developed and persuasive.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The letter has a clear overall sequence: it introduces the request, gives background, proposes working hours, explains a potential benefit, and closes politely. Paragraphing helps distinguish these points, and transitions such as “First of all” and “Along with this” guide the reader. Some linking is mechanical, however, and the long second paragraph combines your employment history, schedule, university acceptance, and study plans. The sentence beginning “I would like to Work…” also joins the proposed hours and your financial reason in a way that makes the relationship between them less clear. Separate these ideas and use more natural transitions, while specifying how the weekday and weekend arrangements fit together.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use enough vocabulary to communicate the request and its context, including “pursue,” “financial condition,” “computer programming course,” and “firm growth.” However, several word choices and collocations are inaccurate or unnatural, such as “short my work hours,” “selected for masters,” and “lessen my time at my shifts.” There are also spelling and form errors, including “tthis” and “coperation,” which reduce the polish of the letter. Aim for precise workplace expressions and check spelling carefully. For example, “reduce my working hours,” “accepted onto a master’s programme,” and “adjust my shifts” would express your meaning more naturally and professionally.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The letter includes both simple sentences and attempts at more complex structures, such as “as I have to handle my expenses for this course” and “that this computer programming course will be helpful.” The main message remains understandable, but some grammatical errors affect accuracy. Examples include “I have been working in eight hours shift” and “I have selected for masters,” where articles and verb forms are missing or incorrect. Capitalisation and punctuation are also inconsistent, as in “i,” “Work,” and the missing space after “shifts.” Use complete, carefully punctuated sentences and check articles and verb forms. For instance, write “I have worked an eight-hour shift” and “I have been accepted onto a master’s programme.”

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

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