Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

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

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 john,

i hope you are well, actually i want to discuss with you regarding my work schudule. i am taking classes, so i do not have much time for my study. i want to do some changes in my working hours.

my classes are in weekdays monday to wednesday, now i am not able to work in 40 hours. whereas, it is very hard to manage my study during working hours.

i would like to work on 20 hours only, because it can easily to adjust to my study time. i think on thursday and friday availability is good.

this course will be very helpful for your business because i am doing business management. in my classes are based on ideas which will help to grow our business, also discuss about new techniques, so we can apply where we facing any problems.

i will wait for decision, i hope you will inderstand.

your sincerely,

anamika

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You address all three requested points: you explain that classes leave you with insufficient study time, propose working 20 hours on Thursday and Friday, and connect your business-management course to ideas and techniques that could help the company. The request is clear and relevant. The benefits to the employer are the strongest part, though they remain somewhat general; for example, you could explain what specific skills or knowledge you expect to apply at work. The reason for reducing hours could also be clarified, since “I am not able to work in 40 hours” does not fully explain whether you are asking to reduce your current schedule or describing a difficulty. Overall, the task is covered, but some points need fuller, clearer development.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The letter follows a sensible overall order: it introduces the request, explains your study commitments, proposes a schedule, and then describes a possible benefit to the business. Paragraph breaks help distinguish these points, and the reader can follow your main purpose. However, some links between ideas are mechanical or unclear. For instance, “whereas” does not express the relationship intended between your classes and difficulty managing study, and “also discuss about new techniques” is not clearly connected to the preceding idea. The closing is present, but the request would benefit from a more direct final sentence inviting your boss to discuss or approve the arrangement. Use linking expressions that show the precise relationship between ideas.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use relevant vocabulary for the situation, including “working hours,” “classes,” “business management,” and “new techniques,” so the main message is understandable. However, the range is limited and several word choices or collocations sound unnatural, such as “work on 20 hours,” “do some changes,” and “wait for decision.” Spelling and form errors, including “schudule” and “inderstand,” also reduce accuracy. These issues do not prevent the reader from understanding your request, but they make the letter less natural and precise. Build a small set of accurate workplace phrases, such as “reduce my hours,” “adjust my schedule,” and “await your decision,” and check spelling before sending.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more developed sentences, and the overall meaning is usually clear. Some grammatical errors remain, particularly in sentence construction and verb patterns. For example, “I am not able to work in 40 hours” needs a more accurate construction, while “because it can easily to adjust to my study time” has an incorrect verb pattern. The sentence beginning “in my classes are based on ideas” also lacks a sound grammatical structure. Capitalisation and punctuation need attention, especially at the start of sentences and in the sign-off. Practise forming clear clauses with a subject and verb, and check verb patterns such as “can be adjusted” or “will help me apply.”

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

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