Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

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

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,

I am writing to request your assistance about to reduce my working hours as i am student. That is why i want less hours.

I am doing study in human resourses and business management at Algoma university. I have to attend offline class that is available on Monday to Friday. Because of this, I am not able to do work full time.

Because of my five days class, Now i am available on weekends and i can do work only 24hours a week instead of 40 hours.

I study very beneficial for employer because i enroll in business management courses. By which i can learn how to cooperate with others. With this i can not only learn about the time management but also learn about the coordination. My skills really helpful for employers.

I am also very dedicated about my work.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Yours faithfully,

Ramanpreet Kaur

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You address all three requested points: you explain that weekday classes prevent full-time work, propose working 24 hours on weekends, and describe possible benefits from studying business management. The request is clear, and the closing is appropriate. The employer benefit is the least developed part: “learn how to cooperate with others,” “time management,” and “coordination” are relevant, but you do not explain specifically how these skills would improve your work or help the organisation. The reason for studying is also stated rather than expanded. To strengthen the letter, connect your course learning to practical outcomes, such as coordinating projects more effectively or managing deadlines, and make the proposed schedule precise.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The letter has a recognisable structure, with separate paragraphs for your reason, availability, and the benefits of your studies, followed by a polite closing. This makes the main points easy to locate. However, progression within paragraphs is sometimes abrupt, and linking is repetitive: several paragraphs begin with “Because of,” while “By which” does not clearly connect to the previous sentence. The opening also repeats the request without adding information: “request your assistance” and “That is why i want less hours.” Use clearer links between cause and consequence, and combine related ideas so the letter reads as one connected explanation. Consistent paragraphing and more precise referencing would improve flow.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

Your vocabulary is sufficient to communicate the main message, including relevant terms such as “business management,” “time management,” and “coordination.” However, the range is limited and some word choices or collocations sound unnatural, which occasionally makes the meaning less clear. For example, “request your assistance about to reduce” does not express the request naturally, and “I study very beneficial for employer” is difficult to interpret. “Offline class” and “do work” are also less suitable in this formal letter. Choose conventional workplace expressions and use course-related vocabulary more precisely. Check spelling and word forms, including “human resources,” to make the letter sound more professional.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more complex forms, such as “Because of my five days class” and “I can not only learn … but also learn …,” but control is inconsistent. Errors in sentence construction and verb forms sometimes make sentences difficult to follow: “I am writing to request your assistance about to reduce my working hours” and “I study very beneficial for employer” need restructuring. There are also issues with articles, agreement, and punctuation, as in “I have to attend offline class” and “my five days class.” Capitalisation is inconsistent, including lowercase “i” and “Now.” Practise forming a clear request with an infinitive clause, and check each sentence for a complete subject and verb, correct articles, and consistent punctuation.

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

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