Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-10-16

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)

Respected Sir,

I hope you are doing well. I am writing to respectfully request a reduction in my working hours. As I want to persue my studies alongside my professional responsibilities. I think further eduction will help me to gain the latest skills to excel in my career.

As I want to start classes in the afternoon . So I would be gratefull if I could work from 8 AM to 2 PM from Monday to Friday. This arrangement would not affect the quality of my work.

Furthermore, I am confident that my studies would bring benifits to our organization. I would be able to have more skills and can enhance my working ability and can contribute more effectively. There I assure that my academic commitments will not effect my job responsibilities .

In Conclusion I would sincerely appreciate raprup it if you could consider my request and give me due consideration. I look forward to hearing and hope for a favorable response .

yours' Passionate Employee

Ahmad Shah

AI examiner evaluation

CriterionBand
Task Achievement / Task Response6.5
Coherence and Cohesion6.5
Lexical Resource5.0
Grammatical Range and Accuracy5.5
Overall6.0

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

You address all three requested points: you explain that further education will help you develop skills, request a specific schedule of 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on weekdays, and describe potential benefits to the organisation. The purpose of the letter is clear and the tone is generally respectful. The employer benefit, however, remains quite general: “more skills” and “contribute more effectively” would be stronger if linked to particular duties or outcomes at work. The reason for choosing these hours is also only partly explained; you mention afternoon classes but do not give their schedule or explain why this arrangement is necessary. Adding those details would make the request more fully developed and persuasive.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The letter has a recognisable structure, moving from the request and its reason to the proposed hours, benefits, and closing. Paragraphing helps the reader follow these stages, and connectors such as “Furthermore” signal a new point. Some links are mechanical or unclear, however. For example, “As I want to start classes in the afternoon. So” breaks the reason and request into an awkward fragment, while “There I assure” does not clearly connect to the preceding idea. The conclusion also contains a confusing phrase, “consider my request and give me due consideration.” Use complete sentences and clearer references, and avoid repeating the same request in different words, to make the progression smoother.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use vocabulary relevant to a formal workplace request, including “reduction in my working hours,” “professional responsibilities,” and “academic commitments.” These phrases communicate the topic appropriately, but the range is limited and some word choices or collocations are inaccurate, which can distract the reader. Examples include “bring benifits,” “enhance my working ability,” and “give me due consideration.” There are also noticeable spelling errors, such as “persue,” “eduction,” “gratefull,” and “effect” where “affect” is intended. Aim for accurate, natural phrases rather than adding formal-sounding wording, and proofread spelling carefully. More precise language about the skills you will gain and how you will apply them would strengthen the letter.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and more complex sentence forms, and the main message is generally understandable. Some grammatical errors remain, particularly in sentence boundaries and clause construction. “As I want to pursue my studies alongside my professional responsibilities” is a dependent clause presented as a complete sentence; it should be joined to the preceding sentence. Similarly, “As I want to start classes in the afternoon. So I would be grateful…” is not a well-formed sentence sequence. The phrase “I would be able to have more skills and can enhance…” also shifts awkwardly between verb forms. Review how dependent clauses connect to main clauses, keep verb patterns parallel, and check punctuation and capitalisation in the closing.

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