Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-01

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)

Dear Sir,

I am writing to request an adjustment in my daily work hours as I aim to undertake a part-time course on "Artificial Intelligence and Data Analytics".

Working as a Software Developer, I have been fascinated about the latest advancements in the field of Artificial Intelligence. This interest led me to research more details about the topic, which helped me find a coursework at a local university, about the multifaceted uses of AI.

As this is a part-time course, I will require an hour off everyday, for one month, starting next Monday. This will help me focus on the curriculum and attend the lectures regularly. Moreover, I will ensure that the quality of my work at the company is not affected.

Since this course covers in-depth details about industry level applications of AI, it will be of utmost use to us in automating the repetitive tasks, making the throughput of our tasks faster.

I would be grateful if you consider my request at the earliest.

Yours faithfully,

Jane.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5

The letter successfully addresses all three bullet points required by the prompt. You clearly explain the reason for the request (AI and Data Analytics course), specify the desired hours (one hour off every day for one month), and articulate the professional benefits to your employer (automating repetitive tasks and increasing throughput). The tone is appropriate for a formal request to a manager, and the purpose is clear from the outset. The ideas are well-developed and relevant to the context of a professional workplace. You have fully satisfied the requirements of the task.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5

The letter is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a formal closing. Each paragraph focuses on a specific aspect of the request, which aids readability. You use cohesive devices such as 'Moreover' and 'Since' effectively to link ideas and create a smooth flow of information. The progression of ideas is logical, moving from the request to the justification and finally the benefits. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different sections of the letter, making the structure easy to follow for the reader.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for a professional context, such as 'adjustment', 'undertake', 'multifaceted', and 'throughput'. The word choices are generally precise and contribute to a formal tone. There are no significant spelling or word-choice errors that impede communication. While the vocabulary is functional and accurate, it could be slightly more varied to reach the highest band, but it is certainly sufficient for a Band 7.0 or higher. You successfully use industry-specific terminology like 'Software Developer' and 'Artificial Intelligence' correctly.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5

The letter displays a good command of grammatical structures. You use a mix of simple and complex sentences effectively, such as the participial phrase 'Working as a Software Developer...' and the conditional structure 'I would be grateful if you consider...'. Punctuation is generally accurate, and there are very few grammatical slips. The sentence construction is clear and professional. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and the few minor issues do not interfere with the clarity of your message. Your control over tense and subject-verb agreement is consistent throughout the letter.

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