Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · 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 7.5)

Dear Manager,

I am writing to request a reduction in my working hours because I have decided to enroll 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 will help 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 this course would be beneficial to the company. The course will help me improve my communication, decision-making 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 efficiently and contribute more effectively to the team

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

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The letter fully addresses all three bullet points in the prompt. You clearly explain the reason for the request (enrolling in a business management course), specify the desired hours (9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.), and articulate the benefits to the employer (improved communication and management skills). The tone is appropriate for a professional request, and the purpose is clear from the outset. The ideas are well-developed and logically presented, meeting all the requirements of the task effectively.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The letter is well-organized with a clear structure. Each paragraph focuses on a specific aspect of the request, which aids readability. You use cohesive devices such as 'However', 'In addition', and 'Therefore' (implied) to link ideas effectively. The progression of information is logical, moving from the request to the specific details and finally to the benefits. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the overall flow is smooth and easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for a formal business letter. Phrases like 'enroll in a part-time course', 'career prospects', and 'contribute more effectively' show a good command of language. While the vocabulary is accurate and fits the context well, it is generally standard. To reach a higher band, you could incorporate more sophisticated collocations or nuanced professional terminology, but the current range is sufficient to convey your meaning precisely and naturally.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

Your grammar is generally accurate, with a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. You successfully use subordinate clauses, such as 'because I have decided to enroll...' and 'which i can apply to my current position'. There are a few minor errors, such as the failure to capitalize the pronoun 'I' in the third paragraph. However, these are rare slips and do not impede communication. The majority of your sentences are error-free, demonstrating a solid grasp of English grammar.

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

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