Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-15

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 Jason,

I am writing to discuss a potential adjustment to my working hours. I am keen to pursue part-time studies to enhance my skills, and I believe this would ultimately be beneficial for our team. Specifically, I would like to reduce my weekly hours to focus on a program in Digital Media, which aligns closely with my current role.

Ideally, I’d prefer to work from 9 A.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays, allowing me to attend classes in the evening. I am committed to ensuring this change won’t disrupt our team’s productivity; I will make certain my responsibilities are fulfilled and remain available for any urgent needs.

By advancing my knowledge, particularly in marketing strategies, I’ll be better equipped to contribute to our projects and enhance our team’s outcomes. Thank you for considering my request, and I’m happy to discuss this further at your convenience.

Kind regards,

Sidaqpreet Kaur

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The letter successfully addresses all three bullet points of the prompt. You clearly explain the reason for the request (pursuing part-time studies), specify the desired hours (9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays), and articulate the benefits to the employer (applying marketing strategies to team projects). The tone is appropriate for a professional request, and the purpose is clear from the outset. The ideas are well-developed and relevant to the context of a formal request to a manager. You have fully satisfied the requirements of the task.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The letter is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph serves a distinct purpose: the introduction states the purpose, the body paragraphs detail the request and the benefits, and the conclusion provides a polite closing. Cohesive devices such as 'Specifically,' 'Ideally,' and 'By advancing my knowledge' are used effectively to link ideas. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the flow of information is smooth, making the letter easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for a professional context. Phrases like 'potential adjustment,' 'keen to pursue,' 'aligns closely,' and 'at your convenience' show a solid command of formal language. There is a natural use of collocations, and the vocabulary is precise enough to convey your meaning without ambiguity. While the range is sufficient, incorporating a few more sophisticated or nuanced terms could elevate the response further, but the current level is well-suited for this task.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The writing is highly accurate with a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. You use complex sentences effectively, such as 'I am committed to ensuring this change won’t disrupt our team’s productivity,' which shows good control over subordinate clauses. Punctuation is generally correct, although '9 A.m.' should be written as '9 a.m.' for consistency. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and the grammar supports clear communication throughout the letter.

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

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