Band 4.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 4.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-05

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 4.0)

Dear Boss,

I want to tell you that I will busy in up comming days and i unable to work for at least tens days. I have fews hours that i serve for jop and I can't serve my full time.

So, I have 3 to 6 pm have time to do my job as well. Because there an exams in my upcoming day. I know that you accept that my requset.

Yours you gave all benefits for part time student. So student live his livelihood.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 4.0

The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, which significantly impacts the score. While you attempt to address the three bullet points—explaining the need for reduced hours, specifying the desired schedule, and mentioning the benefits to the employer—the ideas are severely underdeveloped. The explanation for the request is vague, and the benefits to the employer are not clearly articulated. To improve, you must expand on each point with specific details and ensure the letter meets the required length to allow for a full development of your ideas.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 4.0

The letter lacks a clear structure and logical progression. There is no proper paragraphing, and the transition between ideas is abrupt. The use of cohesive devices is minimal and often inaccurate, such as the misuse of 'So' to start sentences. The overall arrangement of information is disjointed, making it difficult for the reader to follow the purpose of the letter. To improve, you should organize your thoughts into distinct paragraphs: one for the request, one for the schedule, and one for the benefits, using appropriate linking words to connect your sentences.

Lexical Resource — Band 4.0

The vocabulary is very basic and repetitive, which limits your ability to express your request professionally. There are several spelling errors, such as 'up comming' instead of 'upcoming' and 'jop' instead of 'job'. The phrasing is often unnatural, such as 'I have fews hours that i serve for jop'. You need to expand your vocabulary to include more formal, business-appropriate language suitable for a letter to an employer. Focusing on correct spelling and standard collocations will help improve your clarity and professional tone.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 4.0

There are frequent grammatical errors throughout the text that impede communication. Examples include subject-verb agreement issues ('I will busy'), incorrect verb forms ('i unable to work'), and sentence fragments. The range of structures is very limited, consisting mostly of simple sentences with errors in basic syntax. To improve, focus on mastering basic sentence construction, including the correct use of auxiliary verbs and subject-verb agreement. Proofreading for common errors like missing articles and incorrect verb tenses will also be essential for achieving a higher band score.

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

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