Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-26

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 am writing this letter to inform you that I want to reduce my work hours. As, earlier I was working 40 hours a week but now only want 20 hours for a week.

I want to reduce my working hours because I want to continue my study. As you know that I did my higher degree in health department so now its time to focus on and get my field job.

My classes will be in the morning from Monday to Thursday and Lab class on Friday. So only weekends are left in which I can work.

I believe my studies will help the company because I will gain new knowledge and skills which will help in company's development. This study will helps me to gain confidence and I can do better for our team.

I am looking forward for positive and prompt response.

Your sincerely,

Parneet 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. However, the development of these points is somewhat limited. For example, the explanation of how the studies benefit the company is quite generic ('gain new knowledge and skills'). While the tone is appropriate for a formal letter, the content lacks the depth required for a higher band. The request for hours is clear, but the transition between the current situation and the proposed schedule could be more professionally articulated.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The letter is logically organized into clear paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a distinct focus. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat basic and repetitive. For instance, the frequent use of 'As' to start sentences feels mechanical. There is a lack of varied linking words to connect ideas more fluidly. While the overall structure is coherent, the transitions between sentences could be improved to achieve a more natural flow.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is adequate for the task but lacks variety and precision. Phrases like 'get my field job' and 'do better for our team' are somewhat informal and imprecise. There is limited use of less common lexical items. While the meaning is always clear, the range of vocabulary is restricted to simple, everyday language. To improve, you should aim to incorporate more professional collocations and precise terminology related to workplace communication and professional development.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The letter contains a mix of simple and some complex sentence structures. However, there are several grammatical errors that occur throughout the text, such as 'As, earlier I was working' (incorrect punctuation and word order), 'I did my higher degree' (tense usage), and 'This study will helps me' (subject-verb agreement). While these errors do not prevent the reader from understanding the message, they are frequent enough to impact the overall fluency of the writing. More attention to subject-verb agreement and sentence construction is needed.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.