Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-09-08

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 5.5)

Dear Boss,

I am writing this letter to inform you that recently I take one course from mohawk college is Health, Wellness and Fitness course.

Moreover, my classes start from 1st September on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday through which I wanted to reduce my working hours. Also, I would like to work on weekends through which I can concentrate more on my study and do the work properly on weekends.

As I choose, health, wellness and fitness I can become personal trainer in future and will update my position as currently I am working as receptionist. Additionally, I can learn different skills as well as learn how to perform the exercise so that client feel comfortable and able to become fit and healthy.

I hope you understand my situation and will provide me weekend shifts. Thank you for your time and condestration.

Yours Sincerely,

Roohneet

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The letter addresses all three bullet points: the reason for the request, the preferred hours, and the benefits to the employer. However, the response is slightly under the 150-word minimum, which limits the development of ideas. The explanation of how the studies benefit the employer is somewhat vague; for instance, stating you can 'learn how to perform the exercise' is not clearly linked to how this adds value to your current role as a receptionist. To improve, you should expand on how your new skills could specifically enhance the company's services or customer experience.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The letter is organized into logical paragraphs, which helps the reader follow your request. You use basic cohesive devices like 'Moreover', 'Also', and 'Additionally' to link your ideas. However, the flow between sentences is sometimes mechanical, and the transition between your current role and your future goals could be smoother. The use of referencing is generally clear, but the overall structure would benefit from more sophisticated linking words to connect the benefits of your study more directly to your employer's needs.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is adequate for the task but lacks variety and precision. You use basic terms like 'take one course' and 'do the work', which are repetitive. There are also minor errors in word choice and spelling, such as 'condestration' (consideration) and 'as I choose' (instead of 'as I have chosen'). To reach a higher band, you should aim for more specific professional vocabulary related to workplace negotiations and professional development, and ensure that spelling is accurate throughout the document.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The letter contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. For example, 'I take one course' should be 'I have enrolled in a course', and 'through which I wanted to reduce' is grammatically awkward. There are also issues with tense consistency and article usage (e.g., 'become personal trainer'). While the meaning is generally understandable, the frequency of these errors suggests a need for more careful proofreading and a better grasp of verb tenses and sentence construction.

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

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