Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)

Dear Allay,

I am writing this letter to request. I am employe in the company of idp-tax.I was employed in aproximtely last two years. beside that I am university student.The perpose of letter, I want to decline my working hours.consequently, I am not foucs on my study. I manged those situation last two years yet nowadays situation is very critical . My exam is so near and i was not prepare it. so I woukd be request to fall my working hours whatever I attempt my exam.

Forthermore, I would like to work in 2:00 pm to 10:00. because I was attended my classes in morning time. In morning I will reach my lecture at a time. after I will come on my working place in a right time.

Moreover, I would describe the benefit of my part time study. I learning new skills. my education help me in my employent. It would be improve my communication skill. To contrast with, it help me in future to find a wonderfull opertunities for myself. that why i continous my study yet hand to hand I also continous my job.

Finaly, it would be grateful for me than you answer my request.

Your faithfully,

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You address the three requested points: you explain that work is affecting your studies and that exams are approaching, propose working from 2:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., and mention benefits such as developing communication skills. However, the request is not always clear: “fall my working hours” does not specify how many hours you want to reduce, and the proposed shift may not clearly represent reduced hours. The benefits to your employer are also only briefly stated; explain how your new skills would improve your work or contribute to the company. The purpose is understandable overall, but several ideas remain limited or unclear. State the requested change precisely and support each point with a little more relevant detail.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The letter has a recognisable structure, moving from your reason for writing to your preferred schedule, the benefits of study, and a closing request. Paragraph breaks help separate these points. However, progression within paragraphs is sometimes difficult to follow, and linking expressions are often mechanical or inaccurate. For example, “consequently,” “Furthermore,” and “Moreover” introduce ideas, but “To contrast with” does not express the intended relationship between studying and finding opportunities. Some sentences are also joined in ways that obscure the connection between ideas, such as the discussion of exams and reduced hours. Use fewer, more precise connectors and make each paragraph develop one clear point in a logical order.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some vocabulary relevant to the situation, including “working hours,” “part-time study,” “communication skill,” and “benefit.” This gives the reader a basic understanding of your purpose. However, the range is limited, and frequent spelling and word-choice errors make parts of the letter difficult to interpret. Examples include “decline my working hours,” “foucs,” “perpose,” and “wonderfull opertunities.” Some phrases are also unnatural, such as “fall my working hours” and “hand to hand” for continuing work alongside study. Build a set of accurate phrases for making a workplace request, and check spelling and collocations carefully. More precise wording would make your reasons and proposed arrangement clearer.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt to connect ideas using longer sentences, for example, “I managed those situation last two years yet nowadays situation is very critical,” but complex sentence attempts are often faulty. Errors in verb forms, articles, agreement, and sentence construction occur throughout: “I am employe,” “I was not prepare it,” and “I would be request” are difficult to process. Several sentences also lack clear grammatical links, as in “I learning new skills. my education help me in my employent.” Most structures are simple, with limited accurate variety. Practise forming clear present and past-tense sentences, and use a reliable pattern for polite requests, such as “I would like to request a reduction in my hours.” Proofread for complete sentences and punctuation.

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