Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-05

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 Wes,

I hope this email finds you well.

I am writing this letter to request reduction in my working hours. I am delighted to let you know I got accepted in the Harvard School of Business and I will be doing my master's in Financial Planning, starting from September.

I am informing you in 12 week advance so that you can accomodate my time table accordingly. I will be attending classes on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. So I would really appreciate if you can schedule my shifts on Tuesdays and Thursdays starting from Second week of September.

Currently I am working as a Personal Banking Asscoiate which has given me a good amount of knowledge in the field of banking and finance, and this degree of mine will significantly increase my knowledge in the field of financial planning which will help me assist customers not only in banking but also in more complex areas such as Estates and Taxes.

So, I kindly request you to change my full-time position to part-time, and allow me to work while I am doing my master's.

Thanks in Advance. I am hoping for your positive response.

Yours Sincerely,

Dhruv

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 reason for the request (pursuing a master's degree), specify the desired working hours (Tuesdays and Thursdays), and articulate the professional benefits to your employer (enhanced skills in complex areas like Estates and Taxes). The tone is appropriate for a formal request to a manager. The ideas are well-developed and the purpose of the letter is clear from the outset. You have fully satisfied the requirements of the task.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The letter is logically organized, with a clear introduction, body paragraphs covering the specific requirements, and a polite closing. Paragraphing is used effectively to separate the request, the scheduling details, and the justification. Cohesive devices such as 'so', 'currently', and 'not only... but also' are used appropriately to link ideas. The progression of information is smooth, making the letter easy to follow. The structure is professional and well-suited to the context of a formal business request.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for a professional context, such as 'accommodate', 'significantly', and 'complex areas'. There are a few minor spelling errors, such as 'accomodate' (accommodate) and 'Asscoiate' (Associate). While these are noticeable, they do not impede communication. The use of terminology related to your field, such as 'Financial Planning' and 'Personal Banking', is accurate and adds to the professional tone of the letter. To reach a higher band, ensure consistent accuracy in spelling.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures effectively. For example, the sentence 'I am informing you in 12 week advance so that you can accommodate my time table accordingly' shows good control of complex structures. There are some minor grammatical slips, such as 'in 12 week advance' (should be '12 weeks in advance') and 'this degree of mine' (which is slightly informal). However, the majority of your sentences are error-free, and your meaning is always clear. Punctuation is generally accurate throughout the letter.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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