Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-10-21

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 Raj,

I want to request regarding reduce working hours because i am taking the part time study for that i have to go to the colleage for that so its hard to manage both things because i have to give time to studies as well.

I want the change the night shift timing 7 pm to 7 am which is 12 hours shift i want to reduce i want to work until 3 am in the morning because i have classes during the afternoon. So its my request to change the working hours.

My studies are really helpful for this job as i am doing the CPR certificate classes which can help me during the work like in emergenices. As i take this study i thing its really important during the work.I hope will understand the situtation.

I am looking foreword for your response

Yours faithfully,

khushpreet

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You address all three requested points: you explain that studying makes it difficult to manage work and classes, propose finishing at 3 a.m., and connect CPR training with responding to emergencies at work. However, the request is not fully clear: “I want to change the night shift timing 7 pm to 7 am” does not specify whether you would start at 7 p.m. and finish at 3 a.m. The benefit to your employer is relevant but brief, and the reason for studying could be explained more fully. The response is also two words below the required minimum. State the proposed shift precisely and develop how the CPR qualification could help colleagues or customers to make the request more complete and persuasive.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The letter has a generally understandable order: you give your reason, describe the hours you want, and then explain the value of your studies. Paragraph breaks help distinguish these points, and the closing makes the purpose clear. However, several ideas are crowded into long sentences, especially the opening, where “because” and “for that” are repeated. This makes the progression feel somewhat mechanical and can obscure the relationship between studying and the requested schedule. The transition into the employer benefit is also abrupt. Use shorter, clearly structured sentences and linking phrases such as “As a result” or “In addition,” while ensuring each paragraph develops one main point.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

Your vocabulary is sufficient to communicate the main request, and terms such as “part time study,” “night shift,” and “CPR certificate” are relevant to the situation. However, the range is limited, and several inaccurate or informal expressions make the letter less clear or professional. For example, “request regarding reduce working hours” is not a natural collocation, while “manage both things” is vague. Spelling errors such as “colleage,” “emergenices,” and “foreword” are noticeable. Choose precise workplace language and check spelling carefully; phrases such as “reduce my working hours,” “balance work and study,” and “first-aid training” would make the message more natural and effective.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt to connect ideas using clauses, for example, “because I am taking the part time study,” and the reader can usually understand your main meaning. However, the range of sentence structures is limited, and attempts to form longer sentences often contain errors. Examples include “I want to request regarding reduce working hours,” “I want the change,” and “I hope will understand,” which lack necessary grammatical forms or words. Capitalisation and punctuation are also inconsistent, including lowercase “i” and sentences joined without clear punctuation. Practise accurate request structures such as “I am writing to request a reduction in my working hours” and “I hope you will understand,” then separate related ideas into complete sentences.

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

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