Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-11

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 8.0)

Dear Manager,

I am writing to request a reduction in my working hours because I have decided to enrol in a part-time course in business management. I believe this course will help me develop new skills and improve my career prospects. However, attending classes and completing assignments while working full-time would be difficult for me to manage.

I would like to work from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Monday to Friday, instead of my current full-time schedule. These hours would allow me to attend my classes in the evening and have enough time to study and complete my assignments. I assure you that I will remain fully committed to my work and complete all my important tasks on time.

I also believe that my studies would be beneficial to the company. The course will improve my communication, problem-solving and management skills, which I can apply to my current position. In addition, I will learn new ideas and techniques that could help me work more efficiently and contribute more effectively to the team.

I would be grateful if you could consider my request. I am happy to discuss this arrangement with you at a convenient time.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The letter successfully addresses all three bullet points required by the task. You clearly explain the motivation for reducing hours (enrolling in a business management course), specify the desired schedule (9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.), and provide a logical argument for how the employer will benefit from your new skills. The tone is consistently professional and appropriate for a formal letter 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 prompt.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The letter is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a distinct focus: the first introduces the request, the second details the schedule, and the third explains the benefits to the employer. You use cohesive devices effectively, such as 'However,' 'In addition,' and 'I also believe,' which help the reader follow your argument smoothly. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the letter flows well from the opening to the closing statement. The structure is coherent and easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for a formal business context. Phrases like 'enrol in a part-time course,' 'career prospects,' and 'work more efficiently' are used accurately. The language is natural and precise throughout the letter. While the vocabulary is functional and correct, it stays within a standard range. To reach a higher band, you could incorporate slightly more sophisticated collocations or nuanced professional terminology, but the current level is more than sufficient for the task requirements.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5

Your grammar is highly accurate, with a variety of complex sentence structures used correctly. For example, you effectively use conditional-like structures ('If you could consider my request') and complex noun phrases. There are no noticeable grammatical errors, and punctuation is used correctly throughout. The control over sentence construction is strong, and the writing is error-free, which demonstrates a high level of proficiency. The clarity of your writing is excellent, and the tone is perfectly suited to the formal nature of the request.

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

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