Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · 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 6.0)

Dear sir,

I am writing this letter to you for reducing my working hours.

I am requesting for less hours because recently I have joined part time course for my post graduation. As this course only opens once in two years. So, I have to join this course in order to get my degree.

I have my this course is scheduled on Tuesday and Friday for 3 hours. Therefore, I can work only on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. By this, I will get enough time to focus on my academic status.

After completing this course I will be eligible for doing more advanced computer works which will be helpful for all of us.

Reducing working hour will be more helpful rather than leaving the job instantly. And I can do more concentrate on my studies and on my work routine. So. I firmly request you to reduce my working hours. I will appericate you for doing this

Warm regards,

Alisha

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The letter addresses all three bullet points: the reason for the request, the specific hours requested, and the benefit to the employer. The tone is generally appropriate for a formal request. However, the development of ideas is somewhat limited. For example, the explanation of how the studies benefit the employer is brief and could be more persuasive. While the task requirements are met, the response lacks the depth and professional polish expected at higher bands. The structure is clear, and the purpose of the letter is immediately apparent to the reader.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The letter is organized into logical paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the request. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical and repetitive. Phrases like 'By this' and 'So' are used frequently, which limits the flow of the text. Additionally, some sentences are fragmented or lack smooth transitions, such as the abrupt start to the second paragraph. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring that sentences connect more naturally would significantly enhance the coherence of the letter.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is adequate for the task but lacks variety and precision. There are several instances of awkward phrasing, such as 'for reducing my working hours' instead of 'to request a reduction in my working hours' and 'advanced computer works' which is not standard collocation. The word 'appericate' is also misspelled. While the meaning is clear throughout the letter, the range of vocabulary is limited to basic, functional language. To achieve a higher score, you should aim to use more professional collocations and precise terminology related to workplace requests.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The letter contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors. Issues include incorrect preposition usage ('requesting for less hours'), subject-verb agreement errors ('course only opens'), and punctuation mistakes, such as the sentence fragment 'So. I firmly request you'. While these errors do not prevent the reader from understanding the message, they are frequent enough to impact the overall fluency. Focusing on basic sentence construction and proofreading for common errors like articles and prepositions will help improve your accuracy.

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

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