Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-13

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 Ashok,

I am writing to request you for reducing my working hours in order to study part-time, as I have got an offer letter to join the diploma program in occupational health and safety.

Being aware that I am currently a full-timer, I would like request a modified working hours, because my class begin at seven in the morning, and it lasts till four in the evening from Wednesday to Friday. The course starts from 17 August, 2026 for six months.

Therefore, I am only available to work on all weekends from 7am to 10pm. In addition, I able to work only on Monday and Tuesday, and whenever I have no class.

This course is highly beneficial for my current role as a compliance lead, as I believe this course would help me develop my knowledge as well as implementing new ideas to our workplace to ensure we all are working in a safe and secure environment. I request you to kindly approve my request for modified hours during these periods at your earliest convenience.

Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter, and I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Best Regards

Gokul

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The letter successfully addresses all three bullet points of the prompt. You clearly explain the reason for the request (the diploma program), specify the desired working hours, and articulate the benefits to your employer. The tone is appropriate for a formal letter to a supervisor. The ideas are well-developed and the purpose of the letter is clear from the outset. To reach a higher band, ensure that the proposed schedule is presented with absolute clarity, as the current phrasing regarding your availability on Monday and Tuesday is slightly ambiguous.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The letter is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a formal closing. Each paragraph has a distinct focus, which helps the reader follow your argument. You use some cohesive devices such as 'Therefore,' 'In addition,' and 'as I believe,' which help to connect your ideas. However, the flow could be improved by using a wider variety of linking words and ensuring that the transition between your availability and the benefits of the course is smoother. Overall, the structure is clear and easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey your message clearly, such as 'compliance lead,' 'modified working hours,' and 'prompt attention.' There are some minor issues with word choice, such as 'request you for reducing' (should be 'request a reduction in') and 'I able to work' (missing the verb 'am'). While the vocabulary is adequate for the task, incorporating more precise collocations would elevate the response. The language used is generally appropriate for a professional context.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, which is good. However, there are several grammatical errors that occur throughout the text, such as 'my class begin' (subject-verb agreement), 'I would like request' (missing 'to'), and 'whenever I have no class' (slightly awkward phrasing). While these errors do not impede communication, they are frequent enough to prevent a higher score. Focusing on subject-verb agreement and the correct use of infinitives will help improve your accuracy.

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

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