Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-09-01

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 Lean,

I hope you are doing well. As you know I came here in Canada in 2025 as an international student and currently I am on study visa.

I am writing to inform you that as an immigrant I am only allowed to work 20 hours per week so could you please reduce my current working hours. To maintain my legal status I am only subjected to work 20 hours and I checked the roaster, I am scheduled for 25 plus hours.

I checked the latest immigration guidance they clearly mentioned that if we worked more than 20 hours they can depot us. I worked really very hard to get here and burnt mid night oil to achieve my degrees. I really do not wanted to get depot.

I am working on my culinary skills. I have taken studies in fleming college. Once I will get graduated there will more chances I got promotion and permanent full-time with high wage job that I have been dreaming.

I hope you will understand my situation and help to maintain my legal status.

Thank you for your help and understanding.

Your faithfully,

Priyam

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The letter addresses all three bullet points: the reason for the request (legal status), the specific hours (20 hours), and the benefit to the employer (culinary skills and future promotion). However, the development of the third point is somewhat weak; while you mention your studies at Fleming College, you do not explicitly explain how your current part-time studies will benefit the employer in the immediate future, focusing instead on your own career goals. The tone is generally appropriate for a formal letter, though some phrasing is slightly informal or repetitive. To improve, ensure that the connection between your studies and the employer's benefit is more direct and professional.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The letter is organized into logical paragraphs, which helps the reader follow your request. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical and limited. For example, the transition between the legal requirement and the request for hours could be smoother. Some sentences are short and choppy, which affects the flow of the text. Using a wider variety of linking words (e.g., 'consequently', 'furthermore', 'in light of this') would help to connect your ideas more effectively and improve the overall progression of the letter.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

You have a sufficient range of vocabulary to communicate your message, but there are several instances of awkward word choice and incorrect collocations. For example, 'depot us' is incorrect (the correct term is 'deport'), and 'burnt mid night oil' is an idiom that is slightly misused in this context. Additionally, 'I am only subjected to work' is not a natural collocation. While your meaning is clear, the vocabulary lacks the precision and sophistication required for a higher band score. Focus on learning standard professional collocations.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

There are frequent grammatical errors throughout the letter, including issues with verb tense and sentence structure. For instance, 'I came here in Canada in 2025' should be 'I came to Canada in 2025', and 'I really do not wanted to get depot' contains multiple errors ('want' instead of 'wanted', and 'deported' instead of 'depot'). There is a mix of simple and complex sentences, but the complex structures often contain errors. To improve, pay closer attention to subject-verb agreement and the correct use of passive voice when discussing legal requirements.

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