Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-15

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, madam ,

I am writing a letter to infrom you that I need to reduce my working hours as I am doing a part time job .

As i am working as senior manager and I had to take care of everything such as cleaning,stock calculations, managing the staff , and at last i had to even give reports of the sales that we done for a day . So I request you to decrease my work of cleaning and managing staff it would help me to concentrate at my studies

Secondly , I want to discuss about my job hours as my part time study timing is from morning 8 to 11 so after 12 I would come for job .so it is possible that u can schedule my job hours as per mu classs time .

At last i would say that it would be appreciated for other people who are just doing job

That would make a inspirational topic for others

That we could manage both studies and job at same time

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The letter addresses all three bullet points, but the development is uneven. While you explain the need for reduced hours and propose a schedule, the third point—how your studies benefit the employer—is not addressed. You mention that your studies would be an 'inspirational topic,' which does not explain how the company benefits from your new skills or knowledge. To improve, you should focus on professional benefits, such as applying new management techniques or software skills to your current role. The tone is also somewhat informal for a letter to a boss, which impacts the overall effectiveness of the communication.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The letter is divided into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. However, the use of cohesive devices is limited and sometimes mechanical. Phrases like 'At last i would say' are used awkwardly to transition between ideas. The logical progression is occasionally interrupted by unclear phrasing, such as the transition from your daily tasks to your request for reduced hours. To reach a higher band, focus on using a wider variety of linking words (e.g., 'consequently,' 'furthermore,' 'in addition') and ensure that each paragraph has a clear, singular focus that connects logically to the next.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task but lacks the precision and professional tone required for a formal business letter. There are several spelling errors (e.g., 'infrom', 'mu', 'classs') and word choice issues, such as using 'doing a part time job' when you mean 'pursuing part-time studies.' The range is somewhat limited, relying on basic verbs and nouns. To improve, try to incorporate more professional collocations and ensure that your spelling is accurate, as frequent errors can distract the reader and lower the overall quality of your writing.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

There are frequent grammatical errors throughout the text, including issues with subject-verb agreement, article usage, and sentence structure. For example, 'we done for a day' should be 'we did during the day,' and 'it would be appreciated for other people' is grammatically unclear. You rely mostly on simple sentence structures, and attempts at more complex sentences often contain errors that impede clarity. To improve, focus on mastering basic sentence construction, specifically verb tenses and proper punctuation, before attempting more complex structures. Proofreading for common errors like missing articles and incorrect verb forms is essential.

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

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