Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · 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 6.5)

Dear Alex,

I am writing to request to reduce my working hours so that I can contribute to part-time study in order to develop my skills further.

The reason I want to reduce my working hours is that I have started online management and scientific research courses to develop my skills in research in order to work in the research department with other qualified scientists. At present, I am working as a laboratory assistance and in future I want to work with highly qualified scientists where I can contribute to the innovation of scientific technology.

At the moment, I am working 9:00 am-5:00 pm which is 8 hours in a day, I would appreciate it if you could reduce my working hours to 6 hours per day. Although, I will ensure all important tasks have been completed before my absence and would be available virtually in case of any urgency.

This part-time studies will not just help me but also the company. There are multiple positions available within the research department and I think by completing these courses I would be a perfect fit to join the department. Though, I have already gained extensive experience by working as technician, little efforts and 2-3 certificates could help me develop as a successful scientist.

Thank you for considering my working hours. I look forward to your approval.

Yours faithfully,

Ashu Berwal

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The letter successfully addresses all three bullet points of the prompt. You clearly explain the motivation for reducing hours, specify the desired schedule (6 hours per day), and articulate the benefits to the employer, specifically linking your studies to potential roles in the research department. The tone is appropriate for a formal request to a manager. The ideas are well-developed and relevant, providing a clear rationale for the request. To reach a higher band, ensure that the connection between your current role and the future research role is even more explicitly linked to the company's specific goals.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The letter is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a formal closing. Each paragraph focuses on a specific aspect of the prompt, which helps the reader follow your argument easily. You use some cohesive devices, such as 'At present', 'At the moment', and 'Although', to link ideas. However, the use of 'Although' at the start of the third paragraph is grammatically incorrect as it is a conjunction, not a transition word. Improving the variety and accuracy of your linking words would enhance the flow and help you achieve a higher score.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'innovation', 'qualified', and 'extensive experience'. There are some minor errors in word choice, such as 'laboratory assistance' (should be 'laboratory assistant') and 'contribute to part-time study' (should be 'pursue part-time study'). While these errors do not impede communication, they indicate a need for more precise collocation. To improve, focus on using more sophisticated academic or professional vocabulary to describe your career aspirations and the benefits to your employer.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While many sentences are clear, there are several grammatical slips, such as 'This part-time studies will' (subject-verb agreement error: 'studies' is plural, so 'these' and 'are' should be used) and the misuse of 'Although' as a sentence starter. Punctuation is generally functional, though some comma splices occur, such as in the sentence regarding your current working hours. Increasing the frequency of error-free complex sentences and ensuring subject-verb agreement will help you move into the higher band range.

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

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