Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-19

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 6.0)

Dear Sir/ Madam,

I am writing to express my interest in pursuing Executive MBA programme at University of Delhi for the period of [redacted phone]. This programme offers part-time enrolment for working professionals.

To begin with, it requires my sincere effort to outweigh the course of studies. Due to which, I would request the HR team to design my schedule which is flexible for carrying out my plan.

The hours of work would remain steady throughout the studies, from Monday to Friday until 2 P.M. These hours would dominate my work life and rest can be for my education.

Secondly, This change would exponentially build my confidence and will ensure my productivity in team performance. However, I can provide the documents required for initiating the request.

Regards,

Neelu

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The letter addresses all three bullet points, but the development is insufficient. The explanation for the reduction in hours is clear, but the benefits to the employer are vague and lack detail. Furthermore, the response is significantly under the 150-word minimum requirement, which negatively impacts the overall task achievement. To improve, you should expand on how your specific studies will directly contribute to your company's goals or projects. The tone is generally appropriate for a formal letter, but the brevity prevents a fully developed response.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The letter is organized into short paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical and limited. For example, 'To begin with' and 'Secondly' are used, but the transitions between sentences within paragraphs are sometimes abrupt. The logical flow is present, but the lack of depth in the content makes the progression feel disjointed. Improving the use of linking words and ensuring that ideas are connected more fluidly would enhance the coherence of the letter.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'pursuing', 'enrolment', and 'exponentially'. However, there are some inaccuracies in word choice and collocation. For instance, 'outweigh the course of studies' is not a natural expression in this context, and 'dominate my work life' is slightly awkward. While the vocabulary is sufficient to convey your meaning, it lacks the precision and flexibility required for higher band scores. Focusing on more natural collocations and professional phrasing would be beneficial.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is generally clear, there are several grammatical errors, such as 'Due to which, I would request...' (a sentence fragment) and 'rest can be for my education' (lacks a determiner). There are also minor punctuation issues. While these errors do not significantly impede communication, they occur frequently enough to prevent a higher score. You should focus on ensuring that your sentences are complete and that your use of articles and prepositions is accurate.

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

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