Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-10-06
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 Hope you are doing well. I am writing to inform you about my working hours. I want tp reduce my woking hours, Because I have to start 1 year computer course. Thats the reason i have to reduce my working hours.
Firstly, My course is only on monday to friday ans there is a online couse around 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. So I am available only on weekend, However I can work on evening if you need some help Monday to Friday.
In addition, This course is help me to improve my basic skills and make me more confident. This course is help me to grow my future. And If you open some proffesional position,i can work with that position. And i will suggest to my friend they applay in this course,Because this course is give them more oppertunity. And they can improve them skill.
I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Your Faithfully,
Krupa.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5
You address the main purpose by explaining that you want to take a one-year computer course, proposing weekend work, and describing possible benefits to your employer. The offer to help on weekday evenings adds useful detail. However, the requested working hours are not fully clear: you say you are available “only on weekend” but do not specify particular days or times, and the weekday-evening offer seems to conflict with the course schedule of 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The employer benefit is also only partly developed; you mention improved skills and a possible professional position, but do not explain clearly how the new skills would help your current workplace. Clarifying these points and linking the course directly to your job would make the response more complete.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5
The letter has a recognisable structure, with an opening, separate paragraphs for availability and benefits, and a closing. Sequencing words such as “Firstly” and “In addition” help signal the main points. However, progression within the final paragraph is weak: it moves from personal development to a possible position, then to recommending the course to friends, without showing how these ideas connect to the employer’s interests. Some linking is mechanical, and repeated “This course is help” makes the paragraph feel less controlled. The contrast introduced by “However” is also unclear because the weekday-evening offer does not explain how it fits with the stated course hours. Organise each paragraph around one clear point and use references and transitions that make the relationships between ideas explicit.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.0
You use enough basic vocabulary to communicate the central ideas, including “reduce my working hours,” “computer course,” “available,” and “improve my basic skills.” However, the range is limited and several spelling errors make the letter less clear or professional, such as “woking,” “couse,” “proffesional,” and “oppertunity.” Some phrases are also imprecise or unnatural, including “grow my future” and “work with that position.” The repeated use of “course” and “help” further limits variety. Aim for accurate, workplace-appropriate expressions, such as describing how the course will develop relevant technical skills or support your contribution to the company. Proofreading spelling and choosing more precise collocations would strengthen the message.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0
Most sentences use simple structures, and the main message is generally understandable, but frequent errors in verb forms, agreement, articles, and sentence construction reduce accuracy. For example, “This course is help me” should be “This course will help me” or “This course helps me,” while “they can improve them skill” needs a plural noun and a possessive form. The sentence beginning “And If you open some professional position” is also incomplete or awkwardly constructed. Capitalisation is inconsistent, as in “i,” “monday,” and “Because” mid-sentence. Try to produce accurate simple sentences first, then add a few controlled complex sentences to explain the course schedule and its benefits.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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