Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-07

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 7.0)

Dear Thomas,

I am writing to inform you that I am joining a part time course and for that I need to reduce my working hours from 40 to 30 per week.

I have registered for an Accounting course which is beginning from September onwards. I chose evening classes from 5 PM to 8 PM. I will be able to work from 10 AM to 4 PM only. In this way, I will be able to continue my job while learning new skill in Accounting during evenings.

This part-time study will help in learning latest accounting skills and I will be able to handle my job more effectively and efficiently. I will also learn to handle overseas projects. This will give me a chance for growth and better opportunities in my career.

It would be grateful if you will reduce my working hours from 40 to 30 per week. It will be a great help for me in learning updated accounting skills for my bright future.

I will appreciate your favorable response

With Regards

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The letter successfully addresses all three bullet points required by the prompt. You clearly explain the reason for the request (enrolling in an accounting course), specify the desired working hours (10 AM to 4 PM), and articulate the benefits to your employer, such as increased efficiency and the ability to handle overseas projects. The tone is appropriate for a formal request to a manager. The ideas are relevant and well-developed, ensuring the reader understands your situation and the value you bring to the company. The purpose of the letter is clear from the outset, and all requirements are met effectively.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The letter is logically organized, with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a closing. Each paragraph focuses on a specific aspect of the request, which helps the reader follow your argument easily. You use some cohesive devices, such as 'In this way' and 'This part-time study', to link your ideas. However, the flow could be improved by using a wider variety of linking words or transition phrases to connect sentences more fluidly. The paragraphing is appropriate for a formal letter, and the overall structure is coherent and easy to follow throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for this task, using terms like 'registered', 'effectively', and 'favorable response'. While the vocabulary is functional and clear, it is somewhat basic. To reach a higher band, you should aim to incorporate more precise or sophisticated collocations. For example, instead of 'learning new skill', you could use 'acquiring professional competencies'. There are no significant spelling errors, and the word choices are generally accurate, though some phrases, such as 'It would be grateful', are grammatically incorrect and impact the naturalness of the expression.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is always clear, there are several grammatical errors that detract from the overall quality. For instance, 'It would be grateful if you will reduce' should be 'I would be grateful if you could reduce'. Additionally, 'learning latest accounting skills' is missing an article ('the latest'). There are also minor issues with verb tense consistency and preposition usage. While these errors do not impede communication, they occur frequently enough to prevent a higher score. Focusing on subject-verb agreement and correct modal verb usage will improve your accuracy.

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

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