Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-10-09

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 sir, as my final exams are coming on november as there is short time left for me for preperation for my exams . As there is huge burden on my shoulders to prep well for my exams.Therefore, i am requesting u to reduce my working hours as it will help me to prepare well for my exams

In morning my school starts from 9 am to 2 pm , after that i go home take the shower and eat lunch and this all take me like 2 hours. However, i am free from 6 pm to 10 pm for work and this time would be suitable for me to work well and full fill all my task on time,

In conclusion, part time studies will also benefit me as a employer. As i will learn new things from education and can i apply on my work . I can learn communication skill which would help me to deal with clients

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You address all three requested points: you explain that upcoming final exams create a need for more preparation time, propose working from 6 pm to 10 pm, and mention benefits such as learning new things and improving communication with clients. The proposed hours are specific, and the reasons are relevant. However, the request could be more fully developed by stating clearly how many hours you currently work and when you would like the change to begin. The employer benefit is also less developed: explain how your studies would improve your performance or contribute to the organisation, rather than focusing mainly on what you would learn. A more formal, complete closing would make the letter feel finished.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The letter has a coherent overall arrangement: the first paragraph gives your reason for requesting reduced hours, the second sets out your availability, and the final paragraph describes possible benefits. This makes the main message easy to follow. Some connections are less clear or mechanical, however. For example, the opening repeats the reason for needing study time, and “In conclusion” sounds more like an essay transition than a natural letter sign-off. The long sequence about school, going home, showering and lunch also interrupts the focus on your proposed work schedule. Use clearer paragraph links and concise transitions, and finish with a suitable closing so the letter progresses naturally from request to practical arrangement and benefit.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

Your vocabulary is sufficient to communicate the main ideas, with relevant terms such as “final exams,” “working hours,” “part time studies” and “communication skill.” However, the range is limited and several word choices or collocations are inaccurate or informal, which makes parts of the letter less natural. For example, “huge burden on my shoulders” is an awkwardly dramatic expression in a workplace request, while “full fill all my task” does not express the intended idea accurately. “As a employer” also confuses the relationship between you and your employer. Choose more precise, professional phrases and check spelling and word forms, such as “preparation,” “fulfil,” and “skills.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more complex sentences, including a reason clause beginning “as” and a conditional idea about applying what you learn at work. The overall meaning is generally understandable, but some sentence structures and punctuation need more control. The opening is a run-on sentence, joining several ideas with “as” and ending without clear sentence boundaries. In “I can learn communication skill which would help me,” the relative clause is not punctuated clearly, and the shift between “will” and “would” is inconsistent. There are also errors in articles and sentence construction, as in “as a employer” and “can i apply on my work.” Break long sentences into complete units, use consistent verb forms, and check articles and clause structure.

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

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