Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-08

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 5.5)

Dear Mr. Smith,

I am writing because requesting reduce hours of work because of studying as a part-time student

i would like to say that i want to purse my dual degree in order to get promotions. If i work for full time with my studies i would affect me as getting low grades and decreasing my attendance

Additionally, i request i will from Sunday to Tuesday i will work for 24 hours in a week. if any additional urgent swift i would like to take that also my colleague who is doing part time he is now doing full time he could help us in replacing me.

I believe that my education will improve my chances to change my department and i can introduce Ai in workplace Also this is just 1 year course without break it will be just 8 months planning to do without break so i can continue my full time as well with promotion

Thanks for your time and consideration, i am looking forward to your reply

Yours sincerely,

Sam

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

You have addressed all three bullet points in the prompt: explaining the reason for the request, specifying the desired hours, and describing the benefits to the employer. However, the development of these ideas is somewhat limited. For example, while you mention wanting to introduce AI in the workplace, this is not fully explained or linked clearly to the employer's needs. The tone is also inconsistent; while it is a formal letter, the phrasing is occasionally too informal or unclear, such as 'if any additional urgent swift'. To improve, ensure each point is expanded with more detail and professional language to better persuade your manager.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The letter is organized into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow your structure. However, the use of cohesive devices is quite limited and sometimes mechanical. For instance, you use 'Additionally' and 'Also' to start sentences, but the transition between ideas within paragraphs is often abrupt. The referencing is occasionally unclear, such as in the sentence 'he could help us in replacing me', where the connection to the previous clause is confusing. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring that each sentence flows logically from the previous one would significantly enhance the coherence of your writing.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

Your vocabulary is adequate for the task but lacks the precision and variety expected at higher bands. You rely on basic phrasing, such as 'get promotions' and 'change my department'. There are also some errors in word choice and collocation, such as 'requesting reduce hours' (should be 'requesting a reduction in hours') and 'urgent swift' (likely meant 'shift'). To reach a higher band, focus on using more professional collocations and precise terminology related to workplace requests and academic study. Expanding your range of vocabulary will help you express your intentions more clearly and professionally.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

There are frequent grammatical errors throughout the letter that occasionally impede communication. Issues include incorrect verb forms ('I am writing because requesting reduce hours'), missing articles, and inconsistent punctuation. Sentence structures are mostly simple or contain errors when you attempt more complex constructions, such as 'if any additional urgent swift I would like to take that also my colleague...'. You need to focus on basic sentence construction, subject-verb agreement, and the correct use of prepositions. Proofreading for these common errors will help ensure your message is conveyed accurately and professionally.

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

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