Band 9.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 9.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-09-01

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 9.0)

Dear Mr. Johnson,

I am writing to request a reduction in my working hours as I have recently enrolled in a part-time course in Business Management. I believe that undertaking this course will help me develop skills that are relevant to my current role and, in the long term, enable me to contribute more effectively to the company.

At present, I work from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. However, I would like to reduce my working hours to 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Monday to Friday. This schedule would allow me sufficient time to attend my evening classes, complete assignments and prepare for examinations, while still enabling me to remain productive during my working hours.

I am confident that my studies would also benefit the company. The course covers areas such as management, communication and problem-solving, which would strengthen my ability to handle responsibilities and work efficiently with colleagues and clients. I would also be able to apply the knowledge and skills gained from my studies directly to my work.

I would be grateful if you could consider my request. I am happy to discuss a suitable arrangement that would minimise any inconvenience to the company.

Yours sincerely,

Mann Kaur

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 9.0

The response fully addresses all three bullet points of the task. You clearly explain the reason for the request (enrolling in a Business Management course), specify the desired working hours (9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.), and provide a logical explanation of how the studies will benefit the employer. The tone is consistently 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, meeting all requirements of the prompt effectively.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 9.0

The letter is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph focuses on a specific aspect of the request, moving from the introduction to the schedule, the benefits to the company, and finally the closing. Cohesive devices such as 'However', 'At present', and 'In the long term' are used naturally to link sentences and ideas. Paragraphing is used appropriately, and the overall structure is coherent and easy to follow throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.5

You demonstrate a wide and precise range of vocabulary appropriate for a professional context. Phrases like 'undertaking this course', 'contribute more effectively', and 'minimise any inconvenience' show a high level of lexical control. The language is natural and sophisticated, with no errors in word choice or collocation. The vocabulary used is well-suited to the formal register required for this task, and you successfully avoid repetition.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 9.0

The writing exhibits a high degree of grammatical accuracy and a wide range of structures. You use complex sentences effectively, such as 'I believe that undertaking this course will help me develop skills that are relevant to my current role', without any errors. Punctuation is used correctly throughout, and there are no noticeable grammatical slips. The majority of sentences are error-free, and the control over tense and modal verbs is excellent, reflecting a high level of proficiency.

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

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