Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-29

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 7.5)

Dear Sir,

I am writing this letter to let you know that I would like to reduce my working hours in order to study as a part-time student. I would like to further my education as a nurse to develop my skills in the nursing sector.

Since classes begin in early next month, I would like to work as part-time now, which will be only on weekends. I could work on days, 7am-3pm, or evenings, 3pm-11pm, so I could get the chance to focus on my studies and my assignments.

My part-time studies will benefit the company, since it's a long-term care home for the aged; completing my nursing program will contribute a lot to the facility. I will apply for the nursing position, either part-time or full-time, so as to help the residents in the home. I will deliver compassionate, respectful care and promote their independence and safety as well as respecting their preferences. I will make sure I serve diligently and provide client-centered care to every resident.

Thank you

Kind regards,

Lydia Elorm Deku

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 (nursing studies), specify the desired hours (weekends, 7am-3pm or 3pm-11pm), and outline the benefits to the employer. The tone is appropriate for a formal request to a supervisor. The ideas are relevant and well-developed, providing a clear justification for the change in working hours. The response is well-structured and fulfills the requirements of the task effectively.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The letter is logically organized with a clear introduction, body, and conclusion. Each paragraph focuses on a specific aspect of the prompt, which aids readability. You use cohesive devices such as 'Since', 'so as to', and 'in order to' to link ideas effectively. The progression of ideas is smooth, moving from the request to the schedule and finally to the benefits for the employer. The paragraphing is appropriate for a formal letter, and the overall flow is natural and easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for a professional context, such as 'further my education', 'nursing sector', 'compassionate', and 'diligently'. The language is precise and conveys your meaning clearly. There are no significant errors in word choice or collocation. While the vocabulary is functional and accurate, incorporating a few more sophisticated or idiomatic expressions could elevate the response further. Overall, the lexical range is sufficient to communicate your message with clarity and professional tone.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The letter displays a good control of grammatical structures. You use a mix of simple and complex sentences effectively, such as 'I am writing this letter to let you know that I would like to reduce my working hours...'. There are minor slips, such as 'work as part-time now' (should be 'work part-time') and 'classes begin in early next month' (remove 'in'). However, these errors are infrequent and do not impede communication. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your punctuation is generally accurate throughout the text.

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

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