Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-18

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 Sir or Madam,

I am writing to request a reduction in my working hours because I would like to begin studying part time. I believe this qualification will help me develop new skills and improve my career prospects.

I would like to work from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Monday to Friday, instead of my current hours. I would be happy to discuss this arrangement and make any adjustments necessary to ensure that my responsibilities are fully covered.

My part-time studies would also benefit the company. I would gain new knowledge and skills that I could apply to my current role, potentially improving the quality and efficiency of my work. In addition, the qualification could prepare me to take on greater responsibilities in the future.

I hope you will consider my request. I would be grateful for the opportunity to discuss it with you further.

Yours sincerely,

Keith s

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The letter successfully addresses all three bullet points required by the prompt. You clearly explain the reason for the request (part-time study), specify the desired working hours (9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.), and provide a logical argument for how the employer would benefit from your professional development. The tone is appropriate for a formal business letter, and the purpose is clear from the outset. The ideas are well-developed and relevant, meeting all the requirements of the task effectively.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The letter is well-organized with a clear, logical progression of ideas. Each paragraph focuses on a specific aspect of the request, which makes the letter easy to follow. You use appropriate cohesive devices such as 'In addition' and 'because' to link your ideas smoothly. The paragraphing is logical and contributes to the overall clarity of the message. The transition between the request for hours and the explanation of benefits is handled naturally, ensuring a professional flow throughout the correspondence.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for a formal letter. Phrases like 'career prospects', 'ensure that my responsibilities are fully covered', and 'apply to my current role' are used accurately and effectively. While the vocabulary is functional and clear, it remains somewhat standard. To reach a higher band, you could incorporate more sophisticated collocations or nuanced professional terminology. However, the current range is sufficient to convey your message with precision and style, and there are no errors in word choice.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

Your grammar is accurate and reliable. You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures effectively, such as 'I would be happy to discuss this arrangement and make any adjustments necessary to ensure that my responsibilities are fully covered.' Punctuation is used correctly throughout, and there are no significant errors that impede communication. The control over verb tenses and modal verbs (e.g., 'would like', 'could apply') is consistent and appropriate for a formal request. The writing is error-free, reflecting a high level of grammatical control.

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

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