Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-10-27

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 Manaka Sir,

I am writing this letter to ask to reduce my working hours just for the week days as I am starting tp do a part time MSc on Computer Sciences at the University of Adelaide.

As the lectures and examinations are to be held in person, I need to be at the University all weekend starting from May 2027 until May 2028. However, time to time I can still manage to ask for an excuse to do some lectures online, only if there are any code red urgent matters of the company.

Moreover, I belive this MSc studies will help my future career with the ''GeoTech Company''. I will be able help with more serious matters as I will be learning advance applications using the new technology and softwares. As an example there is a course called ''GIS and its Applications'' which will immensely help on our day to day problems regarding map generation. So, I belive I will be a good asset to the company in future.

Thank you, and looking forward to your reply on this regards.

Yours sincerely,

Sumitha Gunatilake

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You address the three requested points: you explain that the MSc is the reason for the change, identify a study period, and describe how GIS knowledge could help the company. The example about map generation makes the benefit relevant to your employer. However, the requested working hours are not clearly stated. “Reduce my working hours just for the week days” is ambiguous and does not specify the days or hours you propose to work; the weekend attendance detail also seems inconsistent with asking to reduce weekday hours. The employer benefit is promising but could be developed further by explaining how your new skills would improve specific work tasks. Clarify the schedule and connect each study benefit directly to your role.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The letter has a recognisable structure, with an opening request followed by paragraphs explaining your studies and their potential value to the company. Connectors such as “Moreover” and “As an example” help show how the ideas relate. The overall progression is understandable, but the schedule information is difficult to follow: you first ask to reduce weekday hours, then say you need to be at the university all weekend. The sentence about requesting online lectures also interrupts the explanation of your availability. Group the proposed work schedule and study commitments together, and use clearer links between the request, your availability, and the employer’s benefit. A more conventional closing would also make the letter feel more complete.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use a suitable range of topic vocabulary, including “part-time MSc,” “lectures,” “applications,” and “map generation,” and the GIS example gives the letter some specificity. Meaning is generally clear, but several word choices and spelling errors reduce precision, such as “tp,” “belive,” “advance applications,” and “day to day problems.” Some expressions are also unnatural in a formal workplace letter, including “ask for an excuse” and “code red urgent matters.” Choose more conventional professional phrasing and check spelling and word forms carefully. For example, explain that you could attend lectures online in exceptional circumstances, rather than asking for an excuse. This would make your vocabulary more accurate and appropriately formal.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and complex sentence forms, including the conditional idea “only if there are any … matters” and the relative clause “which will immensely help…”. These structures allow you to explain circumstances and benefits, and the main message remains understandable. Some grammatical errors and awkward constructions remain, however. In “I will be able help,” the infinitive needs “to”; “I need to be at the University all weekend” does not clearly express the intended study schedule; and “looking forward to your reply on this regards” has an incorrect prepositional construction. Review infinitive patterns, articles, and sentence phrasing, and use punctuation to separate the closing thanks from the request for a reply. More consistently accurate complex sentences would strengthen the letter.

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