Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 13 · 2026-09-19

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 sir,

I am writing this letter to formally request you a temporary transfer to our company's head office in New York for a period of six months, starting from January.

The primary reason for this request is to gain a deeper understanding about the global operations. Initially, this can also provide me opportunity to collaborate with the international team which help me to develop more critical thinking and boost my confidence. Furthermore, working at the head office will allow me to master the new project management systems being deployed worldwide.

Well, to ensure my current responsibilities are covered during my absence, I already discussed a transition plan with my colleague, and she agrees to do it, her name is Sarah. Moreover, I will remain in touch with her through email or calls for any urgent matter or complex technical queries that require my specific input.

I would highly grateful for your support in arranging this transfer. Could you please let me know the next steps regarding the internal.

application process & the necessary visa

arrangements.

Thank you for your time. I am looking

forward to your response as soon as

possible.

Yours faithfully.

Surpreet.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response successfully covers all three bullet points required in the task instructions. First, the writer explains the desire to work in the New York head office to gain global operations experience and master new project management systems. Second, the student explains how work will be handled during their absence by detailing a transition plan with a colleague named Sarah and maintaining communication via email or calls. Third, the letter appropriately asks for the manager's help in arranging the transfer and inquires about the next steps. The tone is suitably formal and purposeful for a workplace request. The purpose is clear throughout, and all parts of the prompt are fully addressed. Therefore, this performance easily meets the criteria for Band 7.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The letter is logically organised with a clear beginning, middle, and end. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate different topics, such as the motivation for the transfer, the coverage plan, and the request for assistance. Cohesive devices are employed adequately throughout the text, using linking words such as 'Furthermore', 'Moreover', and 'Initially' to guide the reader. However, some referencing and transitions feel slightly mechanical or abrupt, such as the transition starting with 'Well, to ensure...' which is more conversational than appropriate for a formal business letter. Paragraph divisions at the end are slightly fragmented with very short lines. Nevertheless, the logical progression is clear and easy to follow, supporting a Band 6.5 rating.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary suitable for a workplace communication task, employing terms like 'formally request', 'temporary transfer', 'global operations', and 'transition plan'. There are some attempts to use less common lexical items, though occasional inaccuracies occur, such as 'request you a temporary transfer' instead of 'request a temporary transfer from you'. Additionally, 'application process & the necessary visa' contains a punctuation slip with an ampersand in a formal context. Despite these minor limitations, the vocabulary successfully conveys the intended message without impeding understanding, which aligns well with the Band 6 descriptors.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The writer uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, including conditional and relative clauses like 'which help me to develop' and 'that require my specific input'. There are several grammatical errors present, such as 'request you a temporary transfer' (incorrect direct object structure), 'which help me' (subject-verb agreement error for the singular antecedent 'team'), and 'I would highly grateful' (missing verb 'be'). Furthermore, punctuation and sentence boundary errors appear at the end with fragmented lines. Although these errors are noticeable, they do not impede overall communication. The control of grammar corresponds to a solid Band 6 level.

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