Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-18

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 to inform you about an reduce my working hours its better to my part time study, now study hours is very less so i cannot handle the work in this hours

My college time is 5.00 pm to 9.30 pm I would like to work after 10.00 pm to 4.00 pm its more comfortable to work and few months only for this time after the months i will be work in different time, this course is very important to me

After the study it will be help for our company like more innovative ideas, many connections from out off country etc and company growth will increase quickly, company brand name was introduce in many countries

Thank you for your attention to this matter. I look forward to your response.

Yours faithfully

Arun

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The letter addresses all three bullet points: the reason for the request, the proposed hours, and the benefits to the employer. However, the response is significantly under the 150-word minimum, which limits the development of ideas. The explanation of the benefits is vague, and the proposed working hours are confusingly stated (10.00 pm to 4.00 pm is a 18-hour shift, which is likely a typo). Because the response fails to meet the length requirement and lacks sufficient detail to fully develop the points, it falls into the lower band range.

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 very limited. There is a lack of linking words to connect ideas within sentences, making the flow feel disjointed. For example, the transition between the request for hours and the benefits to the company is abrupt. The referencing is also occasionally unclear, such as the phrase 'after the months', which does not clearly link back to the previous context. Overall, the organisation is basic.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary is quite limited and repetitive. There are several instances of awkward phrasing and incorrect word choices, such as 'its better to my part time study' and 'company brand name was introduce'. The range of vocabulary is insufficient to express complex ideas clearly. While the meaning is generally understandable, the lack of precision and the reliance on very simple language prevent a higher score. More varied and accurate vocabulary is needed to convey professional intent.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The response contains frequent grammatical errors, including subject-verb agreement issues ('company brand name was introduce'), incorrect verb tenses, and run-on sentences. There is a lack of complex sentence structures, and the punctuation is inconsistent, particularly with the use of commas and full stops. These errors occasionally impede the reader's understanding, especially regarding the proposed working hours. To improve, you should focus on basic sentence construction, ensuring that each sentence has a clear subject and verb, and proofreading for tense consistency.

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

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