Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.5 · 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 8.5)

I am writing to request a reduction in my working hours as I have recently enrolled in a part-time postgraduate programme in Computer Science. I am keen to continue my studies while maintaining my commitment to the company, and I believe a slight adjustment to my schedule would allow me to manage both responsibilities effectively.

If possible, I would like to work approximately 24 to 28 hours per week, preferably during morning shifts from 5:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. This schedule would enable me to attend my classes and complete my coursework during the rest of the week without affecting my work performance.

I am confident that my studies will benefit the company in several ways. The course focuses on customer service technologies, problem-solving, teamwork, and the practical use of artificial intelligence in business operations. These skills will help me deal with customer queries more efficiently, contribute new ideas to improve workplace processes, and support the team more effectively. I believe this additional knowledge will make me a more valuable employee in the long run.

I would be grateful if you could consider my request. I remain fully committed to my role and will continue to perform my duties to the best of my ability. I look forward to your favourable response.

Yours sincerely,

Komal Babbar

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5

The letter fully addresses all three bullet points in the prompt. You clearly explain the reason for the request (postgraduate studies), specify the desired hours (24-28 hours, Friday to Sunday), and provide a compelling argument for how the employer will benefit from your new skills. The tone is professional and appropriate for a formal letter to a supervisor. The ideas are well-developed and the purpose of the letter is clear from the outset, meeting all requirements of the task effectively.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5

The letter is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a formal conclusion. Each paragraph focuses on a single aspect of the prompt, ensuring a smooth progression of ideas. You use cohesive devices such as 'If possible', 'This schedule would enable', and 'In the long run' effectively to link sentences and ideas. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the overall structure is coherent, making the letter very easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for a formal business context. Phrases like 'enrolled in a part-time postgraduate programme', 'maintaining my commitment', and 'contribute new ideas' are used accurately. There is a natural flow to your word choices, and you avoid repetition. The language is precise and fits the professional tone required for this task, showing a good level of lexical control.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5

The grammar is highly accurate throughout the letter. You use a variety of sentence structures, including complex sentences such as 'I am keen to continue my studies while maintaining my commitment to the company, and I believe a slight adjustment to my schedule would allow me to manage both responsibilities effectively.' Punctuation is used correctly, and there are no significant errors that impede communication. The control over tense and modal verbs is consistent and appropriate.

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