Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-22

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 5.5)

Dear Mr.Bob,

I am writing this letter in concern regarding hours of work I am doing in your company .Actually I had decieded to learn french language for my career goal and to maintain my communication level with all the people in this french dominant country. Whereas, I am working full time in your company from 9am to 6pm Monday to Friday ,which is one of the busiest time for all the weeks .However, this time zone of work create a hinder to join my french classes which i supposed to join 3.30pm regularly.

Because of this, I want to request you to modify my working hours for 9am to 3pm every day in that way i can perform on both areas with equal potential. However ,learning french as par

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The letter addresses all three bullet points: the reason for the request, the preferred hours, and the benefit to the employer. However, the response is significantly under the 150-word minimum, which limits the development of the ideas. The final bullet point regarding the benefit to the employer is particularly underdeveloped and ends abruptly mid-sentence. To improve, you must expand on how your new skills would specifically help the company, rather than just stating your personal goal. The tone is generally appropriate for a formal letter, but the lack of length and the incomplete final sentence prevent a higher score.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The letter follows a basic structure, but the flow is hindered by the brevity of the text and the abrupt ending. While you use some cohesive devices like 'Actually', 'Whereas', and 'However', some are used incorrectly or in a way that disrupts the logical progression of ideas. For instance, starting a sentence with 'However' when it does not contrast with the previous thought is confusing. Paragraphing is also insufficient; the letter should be clearly divided into an introduction, body paragraphs for the specific requirements, and a closing. Improving the use of linking words and ensuring each paragraph has a clear focus will improve your score.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task but lacks the precision required for a higher band. There are several awkward collocations and word choice errors, such as 'in concern regarding', 'french dominant country', and 'create a hinder'. These errors occasionally make the meaning slightly unclear. To improve, focus on learning common collocations used in professional correspondence, such as 'request a reduction in working hours' rather than 'modify my working hours'. Expanding your range of vocabulary beyond basic terms will help you express your ideas more naturally and professionally.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

There is a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but the accuracy is inconsistent. You have frequent errors in verb tense and subject-verb agreement, such as 'I had decieded' (should be 'have decided') and 'this time zone of work create' (should be 'creates'). Punctuation is also problematic, with inconsistent spacing before and after commas and periods. The sentence 'which i supposed to join 3.30pm' is grammatically incomplete. To improve, focus on proofreading for basic subject-verb agreement and ensuring that your complex sentences are constructed correctly. Consistent practice with verb tenses will significantly improve your accuracy.

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

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