Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-10

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 sir ,

I am writing this letter to request you to reduce my working hours . As , I am preparing for my exam ,that is going to held in next month . I have joined an academy to assist my studies but I could not attend a single class because of my office time .

I am very hard working and dedicated person ,and I am doing job in yoiur company since last two years . You can see my previous record ,I have been always punctual and regular . I have performed all my duties efficiently .

I am very keen to learn more , and contribute to your renowned organization . It will also help me to enhance my skills and lead to get my ambition .

I believe ,you will take my request into your kind consideration , and hope of hearing from you soon .Thanks for your time .

Yours obediently,

Sobia

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The letter addresses all three bullet points, but the development is uneven. While you explain the reason for the request and mention your dedication, you fail to specify which hours you would like to work, which is a key requirement of the prompt. Additionally, the benefit to the employer is mentioned only vaguely as 'enhancing skills' without explaining how this specifically helps the company. To improve, ensure you provide concrete details for every instruction in the prompt, such as proposing a specific schedule (e.g., 'I would like to work from 9 AM to 1 PM') and linking your studies directly to your job role.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The letter is organised into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. However, the use of cohesive devices is limited and sometimes mechanical. For example, the transition between the request and your work history is abrupt. You rely heavily on simple sentence structures, which limits the flow of ideas. To reach a higher band, try to use a wider variety of linking words and phrases (e.g., 'consequently', 'furthermore', 'in addition to this') to connect your sentences and ideas more naturally, ensuring the progression of the letter feels logical and smooth.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task but lacks variety and precision. You use basic phrases like 'doing job' and 'get my ambition', which are not natural collocations. There are also some minor errors in word choice, such as 'that is going to held' (should be 'be held'). To improve, focus on using more professional and precise vocabulary suitable for a formal letter to an employer. Incorporating more topic-specific collocations related to professional development and work schedules would significantly enhance your score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

Your writing shows a mix of simple sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors, such as 'As, I am preparing' (the comma is unnecessary), 'that is going to held' (passive voice error), and 'doing job in yoiur company' (article and spelling errors). Punctuation is also inconsistent, particularly with comma placement. To improve, focus on mastering the passive voice and ensuring correct subject-verb agreement. Try to incorporate more complex sentence structures, such as using relative clauses or conditional sentences, while paying closer attention to proofreading for basic errors.

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

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