Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-24

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)

Hi Sir, I hope this massage find you well. I want to discuss for reduce my hours. My collage will start in next month. This is my last semister. I want to focus in my study beacause i want to clear and get my field job. So i need reduce my hours for 6 month. My lecture complate at 4:30. so i prefer to get after 6 PM to 10 PM. So i will get study hours too. I learn new thing for my study. I would give some benefits too. I know you dont have and staff for closing shift. I want to do work here for closing i know which type of work here for closing and i study same related your work. i thought its helpful for you too. I hope you will understand my feelings and condition too. I waiting for your answer. Thank you My boss.

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 benefits to the employer. However, the development of these ideas is quite limited. The explanation of how the studies benefit the employer is somewhat vague and repetitive, relying on the mention of 'closing shifts' without clearly articulating the professional value of the studies. The tone is also inconsistent for a formal letter to a boss, appearing overly casual. To improve, you should expand on your ideas with more specific details and maintain a professional, polite tone throughout the correspondence.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The letter is divided into short, somewhat disjointed paragraphs. While there is a basic logical progression, the use of cohesive devices is very limited and often mechanical (e.g., 'So', 'And'). The lack of smooth transitions between sentences makes the text feel like a list of statements rather than a cohesive letter. Referencing is sometimes unclear, and the overall structure lacks the sophisticated flow expected at higher bands. To improve, focus on using a wider variety of linking words and phrases to connect your ideas more naturally and ensure each paragraph has a clear, singular focus.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary is basic and repetitive, which restricts the ability to convey ideas with precision. There are several spelling errors (e.g., 'massage' instead of 'message', 'collage' instead of 'college', 'semister' instead of 'semester', 'complate' instead of 'complete') and word choice issues (e.g., 'clear and get my field job'). The range is insufficient to express complex professional requests effectively. To improve, you should focus on learning topic-specific vocabulary related to employment and education, and pay closer attention to spelling and the correct usage of collocations in a professional context.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The response contains frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. Issues include incorrect verb forms ('I want to discuss for reduce'), subject-verb agreement, and missing articles. The sentence structures are predominantly simple, with very few attempts at complex sentences. When complex structures are attempted, they are often faulty. Punctuation is also inconsistent, particularly regarding sentence boundaries. To improve, you should practice using a wider variety of sentence structures, such as subordinate clauses, and focus on mastering basic grammar rules, particularly verb tenses and prepositions, to ensure your writing is accurate and easy to follow.

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

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