Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-23

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 Mr. Shubham,

I am writing to request a reduction in my working hours because I am planning to begin a part-time course in Business Management next month. This course requires me to attend classes twice a week and spend additional time completing assignments and preparing for examinations. Therefore, it may be difficult for me to continue working my current full-time schedule.

I would like to work from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. from Monday to Thursday. I would also be available to work a full shift on Friday if necessary. This schedule would allow me to attend my evening classes and manage my studies without affecting my responsibilities at work. I am willing to be flexible during busy periods and can work extra hours when the company needs additional help.

I believe my studies will also benefit the company. The course will improve my communication, leadership, and time-management skills. In addition, I will learn more about customer service and business operations, which will help me perform my duties more effectively and take on greater responsibilities in the future.

I hope you will consider my request. I would be happy to discuss the proposed schedule with you at a convenient time.

Yours sincerely,

Tej Patel

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response fully addresses all three bullet points of the prompt. You clearly explain the reason for the request (a Business Management course), specify the desired working hours (9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Monday to Thursday), and provide a persuasive argument regarding how the employer will benefit from your studies. The tone is professional and appropriate for a formal letter to a supervisor. The ideas are well-developed and the purpose of the letter is clear from the outset. You have successfully covered all requirements of the task in a coherent and logical manner.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The letter is well-organized with a clear logical progression. Each paragraph focuses on a specific aspect of the prompt, which makes the information easy to follow. You use appropriate cohesive devices such as 'Therefore', 'In addition', and 'This schedule' to link ideas effectively. The transition between explaining the schedule and discussing the benefits to the employer is smooth. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the introduction, the details of the request, the justification, and the closing. The flow of information is natural and professional throughout the entire piece.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for a professional context. Phrases such as 'reduction in my working hours', 'manage my studies', and 'take on greater responsibilities' are used accurately. The language is precise and fits the formal tone required for this task. While the vocabulary is functional and clear, it could be slightly more sophisticated to reach the highest band; however, it is more than sufficient for the task. There are no errors in word choice or collocation that impede communication, and the tone remains consistently formal and polite.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The grammar is highly accurate throughout the letter. You use a variety of sentence structures, including complex sentences like 'This course requires me to attend classes twice a week and spend additional time completing assignments and preparing for examinations.' Punctuation is used correctly, and there are no noticeable grammatical errors. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and you demonstrate good control over verb tenses and modal verbs (e.g., 'would like', 'may be difficult'). The writing is fluent and demonstrates a high level of grammatical competence.

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

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