Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · 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 5.0)

dear sir

i hope you are doing good . i want to express my words towards you that i want to reduce my working yours because i i willing to take an part time course from upcoming fall semester september 2026 .

moreover can you please scheadule my shift for working from 3pm to 11 pm which wiill not effect my study and it can be good for you as well beacouse im taking real state study which is our field job and i can get more knowlegde about it and we can generate more profits as compare to know i will ge t more information

in the last i want to say you that it will not effect any negative impact on you and your company i promise you i will make it more profitiable

your sincerely

Navjot Singh

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The letter covers all three bullet points: the reason for the request, the preferred hours, and the benefits to the employer. However, the response is under the 150-word minimum, which negatively impacts the score. The development of ideas is somewhat thin; for instance, the explanation of how real estate studies benefit the company is repetitive and lacks professional depth. To improve, you should expand on the specific skills you will gain and how they translate into tangible business growth. The tone is generally appropriate for a formal letter, but the brevity prevents a fully developed response.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The letter is organized into three short paragraphs, which is a good start, but the lack of cohesive devices makes the flow feel disjointed. There is a reliance on simple sentence structures, and transitions between ideas are weak. For example, the transition 'in the last' is non-standard and awkward. You should use a wider range of linking words such as 'furthermore', 'consequently', or 'in addition' to connect your sentences more fluidly. Paragraphing is present, but the overall progression of ideas feels rushed due to the limited length.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary is basic and repetitive. There are several spelling errors, such as 'yours' instead of 'hours', 'scheadule', 'beacouse', 'knowlegde', and 'profitiable'. These errors, combined with the misuse of words like 'express my words towards you' and 'compare to know', indicate a limited range of vocabulary. To reach a higher band, you need to use more precise, professional terminology related to a workplace setting and ensure accurate spelling. You should focus on collocations like 'professional development' or 'mutually beneficial arrangement' rather than repeating simple phrases.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The letter contains frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. There are issues with subject-verb agreement ('it will not effect'), punctuation (missing commas and periods), and sentence structure (run-on sentences). The use of 'i' instead of 'I' throughout the text is a persistent error. While you attempt to use complex ideas, the lack of control over basic grammar limits your score. You should focus on mastering sentence boundaries, ensuring proper capitalization, and proofreading for common errors like 'effect' versus 'affect'.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.