Band 9.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 9.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-20

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 9.0)

I am writing to request a reduction in my working hours as I have recently enrolled in a part-time postgraduate programme in Computer Science. I am keen to continue my studies while maintaining my commitment to the company, and I believe a slight adjustment to my schedule would allow me to manage both responsibilities effectively.

If possible, I would like to work approximately 24 to 28 hours per week, preferably during morning shifts from 5:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. This schedule would enable me to attend my classes and complete my coursework during the rest of the week without affecting my work performance.

I am confident that my studies will benefit the company in several ways. The course focuses on customer service technologies, problem-solving, teamwork, and the practical use of artificial intelligence in business operations. These skills will help me deal with customer queries more efficiently, contribute new ideas to improve workplace processes, and support the team more effectively. I believe this additional knowledge will make me a more valuable employee in the long run.

I would be grateful if you could consider my request. I remain fully committed to my role and will continue to perform my duties to the best of my ability. I look forward to your favourable response.

Yours sincerely,

Komal Babbar

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 9.0

The response fully addresses all three bullet points of the prompt. You clearly explain the reason for the request (postgraduate studies), specify the desired hours (24-28 hours, Friday to Sunday), and provide a persuasive argument regarding how the employer will benefit from your new skills. The tone is consistently professional and appropriate for a formal letter to a supervisor. The ideas are well-developed and logically presented, demonstrating a clear understanding of the task requirements. There are no omissions, and the purpose of the letter is immediately apparent.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 9.0

The letter is well-structured with a logical progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a clear focus, moving from the request to the specific details and finally to the benefits for the employer. You use cohesive devices effectively, such as 'If possible', 'This schedule would enable', and 'In the long run', which help the text flow smoothly. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different sections of the letter, and the overall arrangement is coherent and easy to follow throughout.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.5

You demonstrate a wide and precise range of vocabulary suitable for a professional context. Phrases such as 'maintaining my commitment', 'manage both responsibilities effectively', and 'contribute new ideas' are used accurately and naturally. The language is sophisticated without being forced, and there are no errors in word choice or collocation. You successfully use topic-specific vocabulary related to business and academic study, which enhances the professional tone of the correspondence.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 9.0

The writing displays a high level of grammatical control. You use a variety of complex sentence structures, such as conditional clauses ('If possible, I would like...') and relative clauses ('The course focuses on...'), with high accuracy. Punctuation is used correctly throughout, and there are no noticeable errors in tense or subject-verb agreement. The majority of sentences are error-free, and the overall control of grammar is consistent with a high level of proficiency.

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

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