Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 13 · 2026-08-04

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

You work for an international company, and would like to spend six months working in its head office in another country. Write a letter to your manager. In your letter

• explain why you want to work in the company's head office for six months
• say how your work could be done while you are away
• ask for his/her help in arranging it

You do NOT need to write any addresses.

Begin your letter as follows:

Dear ................. ,

Student answer (Band 6.0)

Dear Mr. Williams,

I'm writing to request if it is possible to spend the next six months working in our head office in the UK or the USA. I want to try a new experience in a new country. I have been working in Canada for 15 years ,now after my wife passed away since two months ago, I feel that I want to spend more time out of the country.

Regarding my work my colleague Asam has agreed to cover my office duties and responsibilities while I'm away. Most of the tasks I will cover them remotely, so this will not affect my work.

I need your help in arranging this transfer regarding the request approved , new location and providing company accommodation for me.

I'm waiting for your prompt response and thank you for considering my request.

yours sincerely,

Manel Riahi

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The letter addresses all three bullet points: the reason for the request, the plan for work coverage, and the request for assistance. However, the response is under the 150-word minimum, which negatively impacts the task achievement score. The development of ideas is somewhat thin; for instance, the explanation of how work will be covered is brief and lacks detail. To improve, you should expand on your professional contributions and provide more specific details regarding the logistical support you need from your manager. The tone is generally appropriate for a formal letter, but the brevity prevents a fully developed response.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The letter is organised into logical paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the progression of your request. You use basic cohesive devices such as 'Regarding' and 'while', which provide some structure. However, the transition between the personal reason for your request and the professional plan is a bit abrupt. To reach a higher band, try to use a wider variety of linking words and ensure that each paragraph has a clear topic sentence. The overall flow is functional, but the connections between sentences could be more sophisticated to improve the logical progression of your argument.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

Your vocabulary is adequate for the task, allowing you to communicate your needs clearly. You use some relevant professional terminology like 'duties and responsibilities' and 'transfer'. However, the range is somewhat limited and repetitive. There are minor issues with word choice, such as 'since two months ago', which is unnatural; a more precise phrasing would be 'two months ago'. To improve, incorporate more varied and precise vocabulary related to business and professional development to demonstrate a wider lexical range.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

You demonstrate a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is generally clear, there are several grammatical errors, such as 'I'm writing to request if it is possible' (should be 'to ask if it is possible' or 'to request permission') and 'regarding the request approved' (which is unclear). Punctuation is also inconsistent, particularly with comma placement. To improve, focus on subject-verb agreement and ensure that your complex sentences are constructed accurately. Reducing these frequent minor errors will help you achieve a higher band score.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.