Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-17

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 Sir,

I am writing to request a reduction of my working hours, as I have to focus on my upcoming exams, which are scheduled for the 25th of this month. This exam is very crucial for me, as after passing the exam I will apply for my work permit and then be available to work full time.

It would be better for me if you could schedule my working hours according to my availability. From next week, I can work only for 12 hours, which range from Monday to Wednesday only. By doing this, I can prepare for my examination with full concentration and without work load stress.

However, working part-time is also beneficial for the company as it allows other employees to get extra work hours and learn many new skills, which are efficient for their growth as well as the productivity of the company. I hope you will understand my situation and take better decision in my favour.

Thank you,

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The letter covers all three bullet points: the reason for the request, the specific hours desired, and the benefits to the employer. The tone is generally appropriate for a formal request. However, the development of the third point is slightly weak; the argument that the employer benefits because other employees get more hours is somewhat illogical, as it focuses on other staff rather than the value the student brings to the company. To improve, the student should focus on how their studies will specifically enhance their own performance or value to the company in the long term.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The letter is logically organized into three distinct paragraphs, each addressing a specific requirement of the prompt. The progression of ideas is clear, moving from the request to the logistics and finally the justification. Cohesive devices such as 'However', 'By doing this', and 'as' are used effectively to link sentences. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the overall structure is easy to follow. The letter maintains a consistent focus throughout, ensuring that the reader understands the purpose of the communication without confusion.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary is adequate for the task, allowing the student to express their needs clearly. There are some instances of slightly unnatural phrasing, such as 'take better decision in my favour', which would be more naturally expressed as 'make a favorable decision'. While the range is sufficient to convey the message, it lacks the more sophisticated, precise collocations that would elevate the score to a higher band. The word choice is functional but remains somewhat basic throughout the letter.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The student demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are some minor grammatical errors, such as 'which range from Monday to Wednesday only' (which should be 'ranging') and 'take better decision' (missing an article). Despite these occasional slips, the meaning is never obscured, and the grammar is generally reliable. The use of complex sentences is present, though the control over them is not entirely consistent. The punctuation is generally correct, and the sentence structure is varied enough to maintain the reader's interest.

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

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