Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-09-18

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 Jhon,

I am writing a letter to request you regarding to decrease my working hours for my part time study.

I join the computer classes for my further study about my engeinnering education and I need to attented the lecture because of this, I want to reduce my working hours, So I can concentrate on my study as well as I can leran new method of using applications.

I would like to work in the morning at 7am to 2pm as per my class schdule 3pm to 7pm owing to this, I am able to do work in the morning.

It has numorus of benefits to join the computer class through this I can learn new skills and even, I can grab more knoeledge about the new applications . It would be beneficial for my work as well as your company.

I look forward to hearing to your decision about my part time study.

Yours Sencerly,

Vishali.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The candidate addresses all parts of the prompt, successfully covering the reasons for wanting to reduce working hours, the preferred schedule, and the benefits to the employer. The purpose is clearly stated in the opening, and ideas such as attending computer classes and working morning shifts are explained. However, some points are slightly underdeveloped; for example, the explanation of how new applications will benefit the employer remains a bit general. The tone is appropriate for a workplace request letter. Overall, the requirements of the task are adequately met, fitting the criteria for a Band 6.0.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The letter is generally coherent and follows a logical structure, moving from the request and reasons to the proposed schedule and finally the benefits. Paragraphing is used to separate different points, such as the scheduling details and the advantages for the company. However, cohesion is sometimes faulty or mechanical. For instance, run-on sentences and comma splices appear, such as in 'I need to attented the lecture because of this, I want to reduce your working hours, So I can concentrate...'. Referencing and linking devices are occasionally awkward, which pulls the score to a Band 6.0.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary used is adequate for the task, allowing the student to communicate basic work and study concepts such as 'working hours', 'computer classes', and 'new skills'. However, there are noticeable spelling and word choice errors throughout the text, including 'Jhon' instead of John, 'engeinnering' instead of engineering, 'attented' instead of attend, 'numorus' instead of numerous, 'knoeledge' instead of knowledge, and 'Sencerly' instead of Sincerely. These errors demonstrate a limited control over spelling, placing the lexical resource score at a Band 5.0.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The student attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as using 'owing to this' and 'as well as'. However, grammatical accuracy is weak, with frequent errors in punctuation, sentence boundary demarcation, and verb forms. Examples include 'I am writing a letter to request you regarding to decrease my working hours' and run-on structures joined incorrectly by commas. While meaning is generally conveyed despite the errors, the frequency of basic grammatical and structural inaccuracies prevents the response from reaching a higher band, making Band 5.0 the most appropriate score.

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

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