Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-10-13

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 6.0)

Dear sir,

I am currently working in your company, and I am writing to request you to lessen my job hours because I want to study in my spare time.

The main reason of my writing is I had taken an admission for masters in virtual university last year, where classes are held online. Then I applied in your organisation and got a job. Although my studies were continuing, I did joining. But now due to busy work schedule, my studies are significantly affecting. I would be grateful if you could change my work schedule, as I usually study at night, so 9 to 6 pm will be the best suitable time for me.This would allow me to pursue my studies as well as perfom my job duties honestly.

I assume that this might be beneficial for our enterprise, because my higher education would definitely increase my knowledge of finance, and in return, it will affect directly on our company's finance managment.

I would highly appreciate if you could take a look on my request. Please respond me at your earliest conenience.

Yours sincerely,

Aqsa

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

You address all three points in the task: you explain that work is affecting your master’s studies, request a schedule of 9 to 6, and connect your studies to improved financial knowledge that could help the company. The purpose and request are clear, and the explanation of your circumstances is relevant. This meets the task well, with some evidence of the fuller development expected at a higher level. However, the proposed hours are not entirely clear: “9 to 6 pm” does not specify whether you mean 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and it is not obvious how this reduces your current hours. The employer benefit is also asserted rather than illustrated. Clarify the hours and give a specific example of how your studies could support your work.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The letter has a coherent overall arrangement: it opens with the request, explains the study situation, describes the proposed schedule and benefit, and closes politely. Paragraphing helps distinguish these purposes, and connectors such as “Although,” “But now,” and “because” show how ideas relate. At times, however, the progression is less smooth and some links feel mechanical. For example, “The main reason of my writing is I had taken an admission” combines the purpose statement and background awkwardly, while “Although my studies were continuing, I did joining” leaves the relationship between events unclear. Use clearer sequencing, such as explaining that you enrolled before joining the company, then stating how the current schedule affects your studies. Ensure each paragraph develops one connected point.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use vocabulary relevant to a workplace request, including “work schedule,” “pursue my studies,” “higher education,” and “beneficial for our enterprise.” These choices communicate the main ideas and show some willingness to use formal language. However, several word choices and collocations are inaccurate or unnatural, such as “lessen my job hours,” “taken an admission,” “did joining,” and “take a look on my request.” Spelling errors in “perfom,” “managment,” and “conenience” also reduce accuracy. These issues do not prevent the reader from understanding the letter, but they limit the precision and naturalness of the vocabulary. Prefer standard workplace expressions and check spelling carefully; for example, say “reduce my working hours” and “consider my request.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and more complex sentence forms, including a conditional request (“I would be grateful if you could…”) and a reason clause (“because my higher education would…”). The overall meaning remains understandable, but some grammatical errors occur in sentence construction and verb forms. For instance, “The main reason of my writing is I had taken an admission” needs a clearer clause structure, and “Although my studies were continuing, I did joining” has an incorrect verb form. The sentence “9 to 6 pm will be the best suitable time for me” also needs more accurate phrasing and punctuation. Practise forming past-tense sequences and subordinate clauses, and separate ideas with appropriate punctuation. More consistently accurate sentences would make the request easier to follow.

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

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