Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-10-25

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 Sir,

I am writing this letter to request you for reducing the working hours for me. the reason im making this request is I have been enrolled in my further studies and I pursue to gain knowldege regarding about my evening shift that i have choosed.

I have choosen evening shift as my university offered only evening shift to the students who are working. It is requested to reduce my hours my timings are nine in the morning to Six in the Evening. It is requested to please kate it till five as as my class will be start at six O Clock. I can manage to came one hour early in the morning.

Lastly, I would tell you the advantage of taking the stuidies further is that my knowledge would be increase and i will have more experiece the thing that I am Weak on or not known will be very fruitful and will be on hand experienced. Your support would be very greatful in this case

Thank You

Ahsan Nasir

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You address all three requested points: you explain that you are studying, request a change to your hours, and describe how further study could improve your knowledge and experience. The proposed schedule is partly clear: you currently work from nine to six and ask to finish at five, while offering to start an hour earlier. However, the reason for studying is vague, and the benefit to your employer is not made specific; explain how the new knowledge or skills would help you perform your role or contribute to the company. The request also needs a clearer, more direct formulation. Developing these points and making the employer-focused benefit explicit would make the letter more complete.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The letter has a recognisable structure, moving from the request and its reason to the proposed schedule and then to the benefits, with a closing and sign-off. Paragraphing helps separate these stages. However, progression within paragraphs is sometimes difficult to follow: the explanation of the evening shift runs into the request to change hours, and the final paragraph combines several unclear ideas. Linking phrases such as “I am requesting this change because…” and “In return, I can…” would make the relationships clearer. Check that each paragraph develops one main point, and use punctuation to separate ideas rather than relying on repeated phrases such as “It is requested.”

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some vocabulary relevant to the situation, including “enrolled,” “evening shift,” “university,” and “experience,” so the reader can identify the topic and your main request. However, the range is limited and several word choices or collocations are inaccurate, sometimes making meaning unclear. For example, “request you for reducing” and “gain knowledge regarding about my evening shift” do not express the intended ideas naturally. Spelling errors such as “choosen,” “knowldege,” and “stuidies” also reduce accuracy. Build a small set of precise phrases for making a formal request, describing study plans, and explaining workplace benefits, then check spelling and word forms carefully.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and longer sentences, including a reason clause beginning “as” and a sentence explaining the benefit of further study. However, complex sentences are often faulty, and frequent errors make parts of the letter difficult to read. Examples include “the reason im making this request is I have been enrolled,” “my class will be start,” and “I can manage to came one hour early.” These need clearer clause structure and accurate verb forms, such as “My class starts at six” and “I can come in one hour earlier.” Capitalisation and punctuation are also inconsistent. Practise forming direct request sentences and checking subject–verb agreement, verb forms, and sentence boundaries.

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

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