Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-23

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,

I hope you are doing well. I am writing this letter to reduce my current working hours. Currently, I am working a full-time schedule from Monday to Friday, but I am planning to enroll in a part-time diploma course. To accommodate my new academic schedule, I will have my classes on Thursday, Friday, and Saturdays. I would like to adjust my work availability to three days a week.

I believe this arrangement will also directly benefit the clinic. The program is related to acupuncture treatment. I will complete Level 1 and Level 2 courses, and I can offer specialized treatment to patients and help our clinic to expand therapeutic services.

Thank you for considering my request. I would appreciate the kind gesture towards it.

Yours sincerely,

John

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The letter addresses all three bullet points: the reason for the request, the proposed schedule, and the benefits to the employer. However, the response is significantly under the 150-word minimum, which negatively impacts the development of ideas. While the purpose is clear, the explanation regarding the benefits to the clinic is quite brief. To reach a higher band, you need to expand on how the acupuncture training will specifically improve patient outcomes or clinic revenue. Because the length requirement was not met, the task is only partially addressed in terms of depth and development.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The letter is logically organized with a clear introduction, body, and conclusion. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the request from the justification. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat limited and mechanical. For instance, the transition between the schedule and the benefits could be smoother. While the progression of ideas is easy to follow, the lack of length prevents a more sophisticated use of linking words and referencing, which keeps the score in the mid-range.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey your message clearly, such as 'accommodate', 'specialized', and 'therapeutic services'. There are no significant errors in word choice or spelling. However, the vocabulary is somewhat functional and lacks the variety or 'less common' items that would demonstrate a higher level of lexical control. To improve, try to incorporate more precise collocations or professional business terminology suitable for a formal letter to an employer.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The grammar is generally accurate, and your sentences are easy to understand. You use a mix of simple and complex structures, such as 'I am writing this letter to...' and 'I believe this arrangement will also directly benefit...'. There are no major errors that impede communication. However, the range of structures is limited; you rely heavily on simple subject-verb-object patterns. To achieve a higher band, you should incorporate a wider variety of complex sentence forms, such as conditional sentences or passive voice constructions.

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

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