Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · 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 5.0)

Dear Sir,

I am writing this letter to request you for reducing my work time in order to purse a parttime study.

I have recently enrolled in a part time to get a red seal licence as a Carpenter. it is very difficult to do full time work with the study. so the reducing working hours allow me to do the study while working in your company.

My class will start at 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM Monday to Thursday, so on this days I am able to come 9:30 AM and Firday i will come on same time. This schedule help me to maintain the balance in work and study.

This course will benefit

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.0

You identify the main reason for the request—your carpenter qualification studies—and give a proposed start time of 9:30 after classes. However, the response addresses the task only partially: the requested working hours are not fully specified, and the final point about how your studies would benefit your employer is left unfinished (“This course will benefit”). The reason for studying is also only briefly stated, with little explanation of why this qualification matters. The response is 35 words below the required minimum, which contributes to the limited development. To strengthen the letter, complete all three points, explain the value of the qualification to the company, and add a clear closing request.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The letter has a recognisable sequence: you state your request, explain your studies, and then describe the proposed schedule. Paragraph breaks help separate these points. However, there is no clear overall progression to a complete letter because the final paragraph stops at “This course will benefit,” leaving the employer-benefit point and the conclusion absent. Some links are also mechanical or unclear, such as “so the reducing working hours allow me,” and the schedule sentence combines several details without clear punctuation. Use a separate paragraph for the employer benefit and a brief closing paragraph, and connect each idea with clear, accurate transitions. This would make the organisation more complete and easier to follow.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant vocabulary for the situation, including “enrolled,” “part time,” “Red Seal licence,” and “maintain the balance,” so the reader can identify the topic and purpose. The range is nevertheless limited, and several word choices or collocations are inaccurate or awkward, such as “request you for reducing my work time,” “purse a parttime study,” and “the reducing working hours.” These choices sometimes make the message less natural, although the main meaning remains understandable. Aim for precise workplace expressions and check spelling and word forms. For example, “request a reduction in my working hours” and “pursue part-time studies” would communicate the request more naturally and professionally.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and longer sentence forms, including an explanation of the conflict between work and study and a sentence describing your timetable. However, the range is limited, and errors occur frequently enough to affect clarity. Examples include “I have recently enrolled in a part time” (the sentence is incomplete), “it is very difficult” after a full stop, and “This schedule help me,” where the subject and verb do not agree. The timetable sentence also has unclear sentence boundaries and punctuation. Practise complete sentences, consistent capitalisation, and subject–verb agreement; for instance, “This schedule will help me balance work and study.” Clearer sentence structure will make your request easier to understand.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.