Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-07-28

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 or Madam,

I hope you are doing well. I am writing this email to inform you that I want to reduce my working hours to study part-time.

Currently, I have started studying part-time at the university. I have to manage my work and study. I feel tired and frustrated sometimes to balance work-life and study. I am unable to give time to my family. Also, I have to do assignments on time. As a result, I have decided that I have to reduce my work hours.

My classes are from Monday to Wednesday. So, I can work Thursday and Friday for 10 hours on those two days. So, I can complete my assignments from Monday to Wednesday after classes, and I can spend some time with my loved ones on Weekends.

Moreover, I have started studying the Master of Management course, which will be not only essential for me but also beneficial for our company. I could improve numerous skills from this course, like time management, leadership, communication skills with customers and clients, presentation skills, and so on. These will be useful in the future for the company's growth.

I request that you accept my working hours and understand my situation. Thank you for your time.

Best regards,

Khyati Patel

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The letter successfully addresses all three bullet points of the prompt. You clearly explain the need to reduce hours due to study pressures, specify the requested schedule (Thursday and Friday), and provide a persuasive argument regarding the benefits of your Master of Management course to the employer. The tone is appropriate for a formal request to a supervisor. The ideas are well-developed and relevant, ensuring the reader understands both your personal situation and the professional value of your studies. The letter is well-structured and fulfills the requirements of a formal request letter effectively.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The letter is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph focuses on a specific aspect of the request, moving from the reason for the change to the proposed schedule and finally the benefits to the company. You use cohesive devices such as 'Currently', 'As a result', 'Moreover', and 'So' to link your sentences and paragraphs. While some transitions are slightly repetitive, the overall flow is smooth and easy to follow. Paragraphing is used effectively to separate the different requirements of the task, which helps the reader navigate the letter easily.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey your message clearly. Phrases like 'manage my work and study', 'beneficial for our company', and 'company's growth' are used accurately. There is an attempt to use more specific terminology related to your studies, such as 'Master of Management course'. While the vocabulary is functional and appropriate for the context, it lacks the 'less common' or 'idiomatic' flair that would push the score into the higher bands. However, there are no significant errors in word choice or collocation that impede communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. Most sentences are grammatically accurate and easy to understand. There are some minor issues, such as 'I feel tired and frustrated sometimes to balance work-life and study,' which could be phrased more naturally (e.g., 'balancing work and study is exhausting'). Additionally, 'I request that you accept my working hours' is slightly awkward; 'I request that you approve my request for reduced working hours' would be more precise. Despite these minor slips, your control over grammar is generally good, and the errors do not cause any confusion for the reader.

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