Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-07-27

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 6.5)

Dear James,

I hope this letter finds you well. I was in love with the cookies you had put at the staff lounge the other day by the way, would love to get in on the recipe someday.

Anyways, I am here to address something really important, As you know, I have been trying to upgrade my skills by taking course to support my working and productivity here at the office. I have been drowning myself into deep waters by studying and working with flexible hours. I think it is time to prioritize both equally instead of prioritizing just work, as by the end of it, if I do not do the studying, I am not going to be beneficial for the company either.

So, I have been thinking to reduce my working hours by a few hours, like work just 9-5 on the weekdays, and skip working on the weekends, just so that I can completely focus on my classes and assignments on those days.

Hoping you'd understand,

Thank you,

Chandni Bandaru

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

You have addressed all three bullet points: the reason for the request, the proposed schedule, and the benefits to the employer. However, the third point regarding the benefits to the employer is quite weak and lacks specific detail. You mention that you will not be 'beneficial' if you do not study, but you do not explain how your specific studies will add value to the company's operations or your role. To improve, you should explicitly state how the new skills will help you perform your job better or contribute to the team's success.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The letter is generally easy to follow, and the progression of ideas is logical. You use basic cohesive devices like 'Anyways' and 'So' to transition between points. However, the tone is quite informal and conversational, which affects the overall structure of a formal business letter. Paragraphing is also insufficient; the entire body of the letter is contained in one large block, which makes it harder to read. Using clear paragraph breaks for each bullet point would significantly improve the professional appearance and flow of your writing.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

Your vocabulary is adequate for the task, but it is often too informal for a letter to a boss. Phrases like 'drowning myself into deep waters' and 'get in on the recipe' are idiomatic but inappropriate for a formal request. While you attempt to use some descriptive language, the range is limited. To reach a higher band, focus on using more professional, precise vocabulary related to workplace communication and professional development, avoiding slang or overly casual expressions.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors, such as 'taking course' (should be 'taking a course' or 'courses') and 'support my working' (should be 'support my work'). Additionally, there are punctuation issues, such as comma splices (e.g., '...really important, As you know...'). While these errors do not prevent the reader from understanding your message, they occur frequently enough to limit your score. Focus on subject-verb agreement and ensuring that complex sentences are punctuated correctly.

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