Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-09-02

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)

Dear Sir,

I am writing this email to discuss I want to reduce my working hours.

Firstly, we should take into account the importance of working hours, which will contribute to the overall efficiency and well-being of the operations.

Also, if we consider the likelihood of I would like to work from 8 am to 5 pm), it is expected to have a three-fold effect due to several reasons, including working hours, part time studies and benefit of employer.

Furthermore, part tie studies would benefit my employer should not be neglected, as it can increase the chances of success, effectiveness, quality of life, and a positive environment.

I hope to hear from you soon.

Kind regards,

Muhammad

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, which significantly impacts the development of ideas. While you have attempted to address the three bullet points, the content is extremely underdeveloped and lacks the necessary detail to be persuasive or professional. For example, you mention that your studies would benefit the employer, but you do not explain how or what you are studying. The letter is too brief to provide a clear, professional justification for your request, and the tone is somewhat detached and repetitive rather than being a formal request to a manager.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The letter uses some basic cohesive devices such as 'Firstly', 'Also', and 'Furthermore'. However, the logical progression is weak because the sentences themselves are often confusing or lack clear meaning. The paragraphing is minimal, and the flow between ideas feels mechanical rather than natural. The reference to 'three-fold effect' is unclear and does not logically connect to the points that follow. To improve, ensure that each paragraph has a clear purpose and that your sentences link together to form a coherent argument rather than just listing points.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary is quite limited and repetitive. Phrases like 'take into account the importance of working hours' and 'three-fold effect' are used in a way that does not fit the context of a formal letter to a boss. There are also spelling errors, such as 'part tie studies' instead of 'part-time studies'. The language lacks the precision and professional tone required for a formal request. You should focus on using more specific business-related vocabulary and ensuring that your word choices are appropriate for the context of a workplace communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

There are frequent grammatical errors that impede clarity. For instance, 'discuss I want to reduce' should be 'discuss my request to reduce', and 'likelihood of I would like to work' is grammatically incorrect. The sentence structures are often awkward and lack the complexity expected at higher levels. You rely on simple or poorly constructed complex sentences. To improve, focus on basic sentence construction and ensure that your verb tenses and clause structures are accurate. Proofreading for basic subject-verb agreement and correct preposition usage is essential.

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

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