Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-07-23

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 7.5)

Dear Sir,

I am writing to request a reduction in my working hours so that I can pursue part-time studies while continuing my employment with the company.

I would like to reduce my workload to approximately 24 to 28 hours per week. If possible, I would prefer to work mainly morning shifts, as this would allow me to attend my classes and complete my coursework in the afternoons.

I believe my studies will benefit both me and the company. By improving my knowledge and developing new skills in communication, problem-solving, and customer service, I will be able to perform my duties more effectively. These skills will help me provide better support to customers and make a greater contribution to the team.

I would be grateful if you could consider my request. I look forward to your positive response.

Yours faithfully,

Komal Babbar

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The letter covers all three bullet points: explaining the reason for the request, specifying the desired hours, and describing the benefits to the employer. The tone is appropriate for a formal request. However, the response is 142 words long, which falls short of the 150-word minimum requirement. This under-length impacts the development of ideas, as the explanation of benefits could have been expanded further to provide more depth. Because the task was not fully completed in terms of length, the score is limited.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The letter is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a formal closing. Each paragraph focuses on a specific aspect of the prompt, ensuring a coherent flow of information. Cohesive devices such as 'If possible', 'By improving', and 'These skills' are used effectively to link ideas. The progression of the argument is easy to follow, and the paragraphing is appropriate for a formal letter.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

The vocabulary is accurate and appropriate for the context of a formal business letter. Phrases like 'pursue part-time studies', 'continue my employment', and 'perform my duties more effectively' demonstrate a good command of language. While the range is sufficient to convey the message clearly, it lacks the 'less common' lexical items that would push the score into the higher bands. The word choices are precise and natural throughout the text.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5

The writing displays a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. For example, the use of conditional clauses ('If possible, I would prefer...') and participial phrases ('By improving my knowledge...') shows a solid grasp of grammar. The text is virtually error-free, with accurate punctuation and consistent verb tense usage. The grammatical control is strong, and the sentences are clear and well-constructed.

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