Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · 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 6.5)

Dear Mr. Alex,

I am writing to formally request a change regarding my working hours due to my interest in studying part-time.

To begin with, I have always been fond of studying Medical Laboratory Technician. I have received an offer of acceptance from Seneca College to join the course in the September intake. Therefore, I would like to inform you that I will not be available in the weekdays to work full-time. However, I would be grateful if you could adjust my hours on the weekends which will enable me to join my classes regularly on time. Since I am working as a Clinical Laboratory Assistant, my part-time studies would allow me to develop my hands-on work. Lastly, I would like to apply for higher positions within the company to contribute to its growth in the future.

I would greatly appreciate it if you could reduce my working hours at your earliest convenience.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Yours sincerely,

Payal Bhakta

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The letter addresses all three bullet points of the prompt effectively. You clearly state the reason for the request (studying to become a Medical Laboratory Technician), specify the desired working hours (weekends), and explain the benefit to the employer (developing hands-on skills and potential for future growth). The tone is appropriate for a formal request to a supervisor. To reach a higher band, you could provide slightly more detail regarding the specific hours you are available on weekends, as 'on the weekends' is somewhat general. Overall, the purpose of the letter is clear and the requirements are fully met.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The letter is logically organized with a clear introduction, body, and conclusion. You use transition signals such as 'To begin with', 'Therefore', and 'Lastly' to guide the reader through your points. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the request from the supporting details. The progression of ideas is smooth, and the letter maintains a consistent formal tone throughout. The use of cohesive devices is generally effective, though some transitions could be more varied to enhance the flow further. The structure is sound and supports the overall message well.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey your message clearly. Phrases like 'formally request', 'offer of acceptance', and 'at your earliest convenience' are appropriate for a professional context. There are minor issues with collocation, such as 'fond of studying Medical Laboratory Technician' (which should be 'fond of studying to become a...') and 'join my classes' (which is slightly less natural than 'attend my classes'). While the vocabulary is functional and accurate, incorporating a few more precise professional collocations would elevate the response to a higher band.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures effectively. Most sentences are error-free and easy to follow. There are a few minor grammatical slips, such as 'not be available in the weekdays' (should be 'on the weekdays') and 'develop my hands-on work' (which is slightly awkward; 'enhance my practical skills' would be better). Punctuation is generally accurate, and the letter follows standard formal letter-writing conventions. The control of grammar is good, and the occasional errors do not impede communication or cause confusion for the reader.

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

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