Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-31

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.John,

I am writing to kindly request a modification to my current work schedule to enable me to pursue part-time studies alongside my professional responsibilities. I would greatly appreciate your consideration of this request and any flexibility that could be accommodated in my schedule.

I have enrolled in a skills development course this summer to enhance my professional skills and broaden my knowledge, which I believe will help me contribute more effectively to the company’s future growth. As my classes are scheduled from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., I would be able to start work at noon and continue until the end of the working day. This course will deepen my knowledge of Artificial Intelligence, enabling me to apply innovative solutions that can enhance our foundation’s efficiency, strengthen its capabilities, and help it stand out from other organizations.

Thank you for considering my request. I sincerely appreciate your support and understanding.

Yours Sincerely,

Mark Vaughen

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

You have successfully addressed all three bullet points in the prompt. You clearly explained the reason for your request (pursuing a skills development course), specified the desired working hours (noon until the end of the day), and articulated the benefits to your employer (applying AI solutions to improve efficiency). The tone is professional and appropriate for a formal letter to a supervisor. The ideas are well-developed and directly relevant to the task requirements, ensuring the reader understands both your personal goals and the professional value you bring to the company. The letter is well-structured and fulfills the purpose of the communication effectively.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The letter is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph serves a distinct purpose, moving from the request to the justification and benefits. You have used cohesive devices effectively, such as 'which I believe' and 'enabling me to', to link your ideas smoothly. The transition between your study schedule and your proposed work hours is natural and easy to follow. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the introduction, the body of the request, and the closing. The overall flow is coherent, and the relationship between the sentences is clear throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary suitable for a professional context. Phrases such as 'professional responsibilities', 'enhance our foundation’s efficiency', and 'strengthen its capabilities' show a strong command of business-appropriate language. There is a good level of precision in your word choice, and you avoid repetition. While the vocabulary is accurate and fits the context well, incorporating a few more sophisticated collocations or idiomatic business expressions could elevate the response further. Overall, the lexical range is sufficient to convey your message clearly and professionally without any errors in word choice.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

Your writing displays a high level of grammatical control. You have used a variety of complex sentence structures, such as the conditional-like construction in 'which I believe will help me contribute' and the participial phrase 'enabling me to apply innovative solutions'. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your punctuation is accurate throughout the letter. There are no significant grammatical slips that impede communication. The control over tense and modal verbs is consistent, reflecting a solid grasp of English grammar suitable for formal correspondence. The structure is both varied and accurate.

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