Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-10-30

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 6.5)

Dear Taylor,

The intent of this correspondence is to bring this matter to your attention and seek an appropriate resolution.

Regarding my study, I would like to highlight a few important observations. I am going back to the school for following 8 months. This semester is going to be a hardest one. I would like reduce my working hours for my better academic performance.

I will have my study class schedule soon, then I will posted my working availability accordingly. I really want to work during the evening time. Moreover, I am able to work on weekends and holidays. I like to work mostly on busiest time, thus my first preference is closing shifts.

On top of that, I enrolled for 'Hospitality and Hotel Management', so it will be beneficial for your restaurant too in the future. Furthermore, I am planning to stick with this job for long time.

I extend my appreciation for your consideration and I anticipate your valued response at your earliest convenience.

Yours sincerely,

Maitri Bavarva

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

You address all three requested points: you explain that you are returning to study and want to improve your academic performance, indicate a preference for evening and closing shifts as well as weekends and holidays, and connect your Hospitality and Hotel Management course to the restaurant’s future benefit. The purpose of the letter is clear. However, the proposed hours are not yet specific: saying you will provide your availability once you receive the class schedule leaves the employer without a definite arrangement. The benefit to the employer is also only briefly stated; explain, for example, how the course could improve your service or hospitality skills. These details would make the response more fully developed while retaining its relevant content.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The letter has a clear overall arrangement, with separate paragraphs for your reason, preferred work times, and the employer’s benefit. Linking phrases such as “Moreover” and “On top of that” help signal additions, and the closing is appropriate for a formal request. Some connections are less smooth or precise, however. “Regarding my study” does not clearly introduce the reason for reducing hours, and “I will have my study class schedule soon, then…” joins two ideas awkwardly. The formal opening also delays the main request. State the request directly at the beginning, then use clearer transitions to connect the schedule and employer-benefit points; this would make progression more natural and less formulaic.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use an adequate range for a workplace letter, including “academic performance,” “working availability,” “closing shifts,” and “Hospitality and Hotel Management.” These choices communicate the main ideas, and the tone is generally formal. Some expressions are inaccurate or unnatural, such as “going back to the school,” “a hardest one,” and “stick with this job for long time.” “The intent of this correspondence” is also unnecessarily elaborate for a straightforward request. Aim for precise, natural collocations and a consistent professional tone rather than formal-sounding phrases that do not fit the context. For example, describe returning to school and explain specifically which hospitality skills you expect to gain.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

You use a mix of simple sentences and longer structures, including “I am able to work on weekends and holidays” and “I enrolled for…, so it will be beneficial…”. The message remains understandable despite some grammatical errors. Examples include “for following 8 months,” “a hardest one,” “I would like reduce,” and “I will posted”; these involve article, comparative, infinitive, and verb-form problems. There are also missing articles in “for long time” and an awkwardly joined sentence in “I will have my study class schedule soon, then…”. Review verb patterns after “would like,” future forms, and article use. More accurate control of these forms would make the request sound more polished.

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

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