Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · 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 6.5)

Dear Manager

I hope this email finds you well

I am writing to formally request your permission to reduce my working hours from coming week as I am planning to join a short term part-time course.

I believe this opportunity would be beneficial for overall company's growth as the course is focused on ethical and moral values .Moreover, The class hours are 6 to 10 in evening so it will be really grateful if I can do 9 to 5 everyday .

In terms of logistics, the project I am working on is almost about to end and for future projects I have trained my other colleagues who can shadow my role during times I am not available. Additionally, I will make sure that I will work with same commitment and there will be no hindrance from my sides .

To demonstrate my commitment , I will ensure that with the help of this course I can help my other colleagues to learn as well as adapt the course outcomes .

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

You have addressed all three bullet points required by the prompt. You explained your reason for the request, specified the desired hours, and outlined the benefits to your employer. However, the development of these points is somewhat thin. For instance, while you mention the course is about 'ethical and moral values,' you could have been more specific about how these skills translate into tangible workplace improvements. The tone is generally appropriate for a formal letter, though the request for hours is slightly confusingly phrased ('9 to 5' is a standard full-time shift, which contradicts the request to reduce hours). Overall, you have fulfilled the requirements of the task effectively.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The letter follows a logical structure, with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a closing. You use some cohesive devices such as 'Moreover,' 'In terms of,' and 'Additionally' to link your ideas. However, the paragraphing is a bit disjointed, and some transitions feel slightly mechanical. The referencing is generally clear, but the flow between the logistics of your current project and the benefits of the course could be smoother. To improve, ensure that each paragraph focuses on a single, well-developed idea and use a wider variety of linking words to connect your sentences more naturally.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'formally request,' 'hindrance,' and 'demonstrate my commitment.' There are some minor issues with word choice and collocation, such as 'it will be really grateful' (which should be 'I would be very grateful') and 'from my sides' (which should be 'on my part'). While the vocabulary is sufficient to convey your meaning clearly, it lacks the precision and sophistication required for a higher band score. Focusing on more natural collocations and avoiding repetitive phrasing will help elevate your writing.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, which is appropriate for this task. There are several grammatical errors, such as missing articles ('from coming week' should be 'from the coming week'), incorrect preposition usage, and punctuation issues (e.g., spacing before commas). Additionally, the sentence 'it will be really grateful if I can do 9 to 5' contains a subject-verb error. While these errors do not impede communication, they occur frequently enough to prevent a higher score. You should focus on proofreading for basic article usage and subject-verb agreement to improve your accuracy.

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

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