Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-10-24

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)

Dear Steve,

I am writing this letter regarding to a request early day off as I have to focus on my executive MBA. As I informed you earlier, I am appearing in a management study form this quarter, I require some slow down at work to prepare my term examination.

During the educational term, I was able to balnce my work and classes howerver before examination, I require additional time for preparation. If I perform my existing duties with full potential, I am affraid, I could be exhusted and not able justify work or my study.

I cannot took PTOs for my study as I have deliverable to our customer hence I am available on Monday to Friday from 9 AM to 2 PM and perform tasks, which will be assigned to me.

Once I am completed my MBA, it would be beneficial to the organization itself, as I can take more management related responsibilites and help the organization.

Your Sinciearly,

Peter

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

The letter addresses all three requested points: you explain that you need time to prepare for your executive MBA examinations, propose working Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., and describe how the qualification could help you take on management responsibilities. The request is relevant and understandable. However, the reason for the change is explained more fully than the benefit to your employer, which is stated only generally as being able to take on “more management related responsibilities.” Clarify how this knowledge could support the organisation or its customers. The proposed schedule could also be framed more explicitly as a request for reduced hours, rather than simply saying you are available at those times. These unevenly developed points keep the response from being more fully persuasive.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The letter has a clear overall arrangement: it introduces the request, explains the study-related need, gives the proposed schedule, and ends with the employer benefit. Paragraphing helps the reader follow these stages, and links such as “During the educational term,” “hence,” and “Once” show an effort to connect ideas. The progression is generally logical, but some connections are awkward or unclear. For example, “I cannot took PTOs for my study as I have deliverable to our customer hence I am available…” combines the reason for not taking leave with the proposed hours in a crowded sentence. Separate these ideas and use clearer transitions. The closing is also not in the conventional form, which slightly weakens the letter’s overall presentation.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant workplace and education vocabulary, including “executive MBA,” “term examination,” “deliverable,” and “management related responsibilities,” so the topic is clear. There is also some attempt to use more formal language appropriate for writing to a boss. However, several word choices and collocations are inaccurate or unnatural, such as “request early day off,” “slow down at work,” and “perform tasks, which will be assigned to me.” Spelling errors, including “balnce,” “affraid,” “exhusted,” and “responsibilites,” also reduce accuracy. Aim for precise, natural phrases such as “request reduced working hours” and “manage my workload,” and proofread carefully. The range is adequate for the task, but these inaccuracies limit flexibility and polish.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The response includes both simple sentences and attempts at more complex structures, for example, “If I perform my existing duties with full potential, I am affraid…” and “Once I am completed my MBA, it would be beneficial…”. The main message remains understandable, but some grammatical errors affect clarity and control. Examples include “I am appearing in a management study” and “I cannot took PTOs”; the verb forms need correction. In “Once I am completed my MBA,” the tense and construction are also faulty, while “I have deliverable” needs an appropriate plural or article. Some sentences combine several clauses without clear punctuation, particularly the sentence about PTO and availability. Review verb forms, articles, and sentence boundaries while retaining your attempts at complex structures.

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

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