Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · 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 7.5)

Dear Mr. Anderson,

I am writing to request a reduction in my working hours, as I have recently enrolled in a part-time professional course that is directly related to my current position. I believe this qualification will enhance my skills and enable me to contribute more effectively to the company.

I would like to work from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Monday to Friday, instead of my current full-time schedule. This arrangement would allow me to attend classes and devote sufficient time to my studies without compromising my work responsibilities.

The course will provide me with updated knowledge and practical expertise that I can apply directly to my role. In particular, I expect to improve my efficiency, develop better problem-solving skills, and take on more complex tasks in the future. Consequently, the company would benefit from my enhanced capabilities and increased productivity.

I would greatly appreciate your consideration of my request.

Yours sincerely,

Sunita

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all three bullet points of the prompt. You clearly explain the reason for the request (enrolling in a professional course), specify the desired working hours (9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.), and articulate the benefits to the employer (improved efficiency and problem-solving). The tone is appropriate for a formal letter to a supervisor, and the purpose is clear from the outset. The ideas are well-developed and relevant, meeting all requirements of the task effectively.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The letter is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph focuses on a specific aspect of the prompt, which helps the reader follow your argument easily. You use appropriate cohesive devices such as 'consequently,' 'in particular,' and 'instead of,' which link your sentences and paragraphs smoothly. The structure is professional and follows standard letter-writing conventions, contributing to a coherent and well-managed response.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for a formal business context. Phrases such as 'devote sufficient time,' 'compromising my work responsibilities,' and 'practical expertise' are used accurately and naturally. The language is precise and conveys your message without ambiguity. While the vocabulary is functional and correct, incorporating a few more sophisticated or idiomatic business collocations could elevate the response further, but the current range is sufficient for a high band score.

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 'I am writing to request a reduction in my working hours, as I have recently enrolled in a part-time professional course.' Punctuation is used correctly, and there are no noticeable errors in tense, subject-verb agreement, or word order. The writing is fluent and error-free, reflecting a strong command of English grammar.

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

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