Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-30

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)

I am writing to request a temporary reduction in my working hours, as I have recently been accepted onto a part-time course in data analytics. I believe this course will help me develop skills that are directly relevant to my current role and future responsibilities within the company.

Ideally, I would like to work from 9.00 am to 3.00 pm, Monday to Friday , instead of my current full-time schedule.I would be happy happy to discuss alternative working hours if this arrangement doesn't not fit the teams requirements. I would also ensure that my responsibilities are completed with in my revised schedule and that there is no disruption to ongoing projects.

I believe, my studies would benefit the company in several ways. In particular, I would gain a deeper understanding of modern data-analysis techniques and could also apply this knowledge to improve the way we handle and interpret business data. Furthermore, the additional skills I acquire could help me contribute more effectively to future assignments and identify opportunities to improve efficiency.

I would be grateful if you could consider my request. I am happy to discuss the proposed arrangements at your convenience.

Yours sincerely,

Sai

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The letter effectively addresses all three bullet points in the prompt. You clearly explain the reason for the request (part-time data analytics course), specify the desired working hours (9.00 am to 3.00 pm), and provide a logical argument for how the company will benefit from your new skills. The tone is professional and appropriate for a formal request to a manager. The ideas are well-developed and the purpose of the letter is clear from the outset. No parts of the task are omitted, and the response is fully relevant to the instructions provided.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The letter is logically organised with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a distinct focus, moving from the request to the logistics and finally the benefits. Cohesive devices such as 'In particular', 'Furthermore', and 'Ideally' are used effectively to link sentences and ideas. The paragraphing is appropriate for a formal letter, and the flow of information is smooth throughout. There is a clear sense of structure that guides the reader through your request without any confusion or unnecessary repetition.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for a professional context, such as 'temporary reduction', 'relevant to my current role', and 'identify opportunities to improve efficiency'. The language is precise and natural. There are no significant errors in word choice or collocation. While the vocabulary is functional and accurate, it could be slightly more sophisticated to reach the highest band, but it is certainly sufficient for a clear and professional communication. There are no spelling errors that impede meaning.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The writing shows a good command of grammatical structures. You use a mix of simple and complex sentences effectively, such as 'I believe this course will help me develop skills that are directly relevant to my current role'. Punctuation is generally accurate, although there is a minor error in the second paragraph ('doesn't not') and a slight repetition ('happy happy'). These are minor slips that do not impede communication. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and you demonstrate control over complex sentence forms.

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

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