Band 4.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 4.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-10-15

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 4.0)

Dear, Mr patel

I hope you will be fine, I am working your company as a manager, but I will be a planning for my

higer study. I have completed my master in account, so I have a one request for you, for my working hours. currently, i working 40 hours per week

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 3.0

The opening identifies that you work for the company and want to make a request about your hours, so the basic purpose is partly clear. However, the letter stops before explaining why you want to study, specifying the hours you would prefer, or describing how your studies could benefit your employer. The phrase “I will be a planning for my higher study” hints at a reason but does not explain it. The response also falls well short of the required 150 words, leaving the task only minimally addressed. To improve, cover each bullet explicitly: give your study-related reason, propose a workable schedule, and connect your accounting studies to a benefit such as stronger financial planning at work.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 3.5

There is a basic sequence from greeting to a brief statement about your role and then a request concerning working hours. This gives the reader a general sense of the letter’s purpose. However, the response ends before the request is fully explained, and there is no clear progression through the three points in the instructions. The opening also runs several ideas together in one sentence, making the relationship between your studies and the request difficult to follow. Organise the letter into short paragraphs—for example, purpose and reason, proposed hours, and employer benefits—and use simple links such as “because,” “I would therefore like,” and “In addition” to guide the reader.

Lexical Resource: Band 4.5

You use a few relevant words, including “manager,” “master,” “account,” and “working hours,” which help establish the workplace and study context. However, the vocabulary is limited, and several phrases are inaccurate or unnatural, such as “a planning for my higher study” and “completed my master in account.” These choices make parts of the message harder to understand and do not yet show flexible control of vocabulary for a formal workplace letter. Aim for precise, conventional expressions such as “plan to pursue further studies,” “a master’s degree in accounting,” and “reduce my weekly hours.” Check spelling and word forms as well, including “higher” and “currently.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5

The response attempts to combine ideas in a longer sentence, and the reader can identify the basic message. However, sentence structures are limited and several grammatical errors affect clarity. For example, “I am working your company as a manager” is missing a preposition, while “currently, i working 40 hours per week” lacks an auxiliary verb. The sentence beginning “I hope you will be fine” is joined to the next clause with a comma, creating a run-on sentence. Use complete, controlled sentences such as “I currently work 40 hours per week” and “I am writing to request a reduction in my hours.” Also use capital letters consistently for “I” and after sentence breaks.

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

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