Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-20

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 Madam,

I am writing this letter to request about the reduce my working hours because I am going to start study part time. I am going to do cooking course to enhance my skill.

I just want to do night shifts from 5 a.m. to 12 p.m. for four days in a week because those are the best option for me. I have four days classes in a week in daytime, and I also want some time to revise my work. Apart from that, I also have two practical classes in a week, so I need at least three days off for preparation.

Moreover, I think this course also beneficial for my work because working as a supervisor I need to prep different kind of sandwiches and salad, so this course enhances my skills, and I also learn new techniques which is helpful for me to do my work more efficiently.

I am looking forward for your prompt response.

Yours faithfully,

Rupinder Kaur.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The letter addresses all three bullet points of the prompt: the reason for the request, the specific hours desired, and the benefits to the employer. The tone is appropriate for a formal letter to a supervisor. However, the development of ideas is somewhat limited. For example, while you mention the cooking course, explaining how the specific skills learned in the course would directly improve the quality of the sandwiches or salads at your workplace would have provided a more persuasive argument. The request is clear, but the explanation of the schedule is slightly confusing, as you mention 'night shifts' but then specify '5 a.m. to 12 p.m.', which is typically considered morning hours.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The letter is organized into logical paragraphs, each focusing on a specific aspect of the task. You use basic cohesive devices such as 'Moreover' and 'Apart from that' to link ideas. However, the flow between sentences is sometimes mechanical, and the referencing is occasionally unclear. For instance, the transition between your study schedule and the request for time off could be smoother. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the introduction, the request details, the benefits, and the closing, which helps the reader follow your argument easily.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You have an adequate range of vocabulary to convey your message, such as 'enhance', 'efficiently', and 'practical classes'. However, there are some word choice errors and awkward phrasings, such as 'request about the reduce my working hours' (should be 'request a reduction in my working hours') and 'do cooking course' (should be 'take a cooking course'). The vocabulary is generally functional but lacks the precision and variety required for higher bands. You rely on simple descriptors, and some collocations are slightly unnatural, which limits the overall impact of your writing.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The letter contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors, particularly with articles ('the cooking course', 'the best option') and verb forms ('I also learn new techniques' should be 'I will also learn'). Subject-verb agreement and preposition usage are also inconsistent at times. While these errors do not prevent the reader from understanding your request, they occur frequently enough to indicate a lack of full control over complex structures. Focusing on proofreading for basic tense consistency and article usage would significantly improve your accuracy.

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

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