Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · 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 8.0)

Dear Manager,

I am writing to request a reduction in my working hours because I would like to begin studying part-time. I have recently decided to continue my education to improve my professional knowledge and develop skills that will be useful for my future career. However, balancing my current working schedule with my studies would be difficult.

Ideally, I would like to work from Monday to Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. This schedule would allow me to attend my classes and complete my assignments in the evenings while still working a sufficient number of hours for the company.

I believe my studies would also benefit the company. The additional knowledge and skills I gain could help me work more efficiently, communicate better with colleagues and customers, and take on greater responsibilities in the future. I would also be able to apply what I learn directly to my work.

I would greatly appreciate it if you could consider my request. I am happy to discuss the proposed schedule and make any necessary adjustments to ensure that my reduced hours do not negatively affect the team.

Thank you for your understanding and consideration.

Yours sincerely,

[Your Name]

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response fully addresses all three bullet points required by the prompt. You clearly explain the motivation for the request (professional development), specify the desired working hours (Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.), and provide a logical argument for how the employer will benefit from your studies. 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, meeting all requirements of the task effectively.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The letter is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph focuses on a specific aspect of the prompt, and the transition between the request, the proposed schedule, and the benefits to the company is smooth. You use cohesive devices such as 'However', 'Ideally', and 'I believe' effectively to guide the reader. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different sections of the letter, and the overall structure is coherent and easy to follow throughout.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary suitable for a formal business context. Phrases such as 'professional knowledge', 'sufficient number of hours', and 'negatively affect the team' are used accurately. While the vocabulary is functional and precise, it remains relatively standard. To reach a higher band, you could incorporate more sophisticated collocations or nuanced business terminology. However, the current range is more than sufficient for the task, and there are no errors in word choice or spelling that impede communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The writing displays a high level of grammatical control. You successfully use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as the conditional 'I would greatly appreciate it if you could consider...' and the use of gerunds after 'to' in 'to improve my professional knowledge'. Punctuation is accurate, and there are no noticeable grammatical errors. The sentences are error-free, demonstrating a strong command of English grammar, which supports clear and professional communication.

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

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