Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-12
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)
Respected sir
I'm rinki Baghel , an employee in your office working in the data analytics department. I want to raise my issue to you ie. I want to reduce my working hours in order to study part time . I'm planning to go to abroad this year so I have to take some time for my studies also along with work .
I will make sure that my studies will not affect my professional work here . I'll do my work very sincerely as I was doing. I just need to reduce my working hours to approx 2 hours . It would be very great if you take me permission. I'm good in coming to the office between 10am to 4pm .
Kindly accept my request It is about my future ,I'm not asking much .
Yours sincerely
Rinki Baghel
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The letter addresses all three bullet points, but the development is insufficient. While you explain the reason for the request and specify the hours, the explanation of how your studies would benefit the employer is weak and lacks detail. Furthermore, the response is under the 150-word minimum, which significantly impacts the score as the ideas are not fully developed. To improve, you should expand on how the specific skills gained from your studies will add value to the data analytics department, and ensure you meet the length requirement to allow for a more professional and persuasive tone.
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 very limited. Transitions between sentences are often abrupt, such as the jump from 'I'm planning to go abroad' to 'I will make sure that my studies will not affect my professional work'. Using more linking words like 'consequently', 'furthermore', or 'in addition' would improve the flow. The paragraphing is logical, but the overall progression of ideas feels a bit disjointed due to the lack of cohesive links.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is functional but basic. You rely on simple phrases like 'I want to raise my issue' and 'It would be very great'. There is little attempt to use more sophisticated or professional vocabulary suitable for a formal letter to a manager. Phrases like 'I'm good in coming to the office' are slightly unnatural. To reach a higher band, you should incorporate more precise, professional terminology related to your workplace and academic goals, and avoid informal phrasing.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The letter contains a mix of simple and some complex sentence structures, but there are frequent errors in grammar and punctuation. For example, 'I'm planning to go to abroad' (incorrect preposition), 'take me permission' (incorrect verb choice), and 'I'm good in coming' (unnatural phrasing). Punctuation is also inconsistent, with spaces missing before commas and periods. While the meaning is generally clear, these persistent errors in basic grammar and sentence construction limit the score.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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