Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · 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 8.0)

Dear Manager,

I am writing to request a reduction in my working hours so that I can pursue part-time studies while continuing to contribute to the company.

I would like to reduce my working hours to approximately 30 hours per week. Ideally, I would prefer to work from 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Monday to Friday. This schedule would allow me to attend my classes and dedicate sufficient time to studying and completing assignments.

I believe my studies would also benefit the company. The additional knowledge and skills I gain could help me improve my performance, solve workplace problems more effectively, and contribute new ideas to improve quality and efficiency. I would also be able to apply what I learn directly to my work.

I would greatly appreciate your consideration of my request. I am happy to discuss the schedule further and find an arrangement that works well for both the company and me.

Yours sincerely,

Daljeet

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The letter fully addresses all three bullet points required by the prompt. You clearly explain the reason for the request (pursuing part-time studies), specify the desired working hours (30 hours per week, 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.), and provide a logical explanation of how the employer will benefit from your professional development. The tone is appropriate for a formal letter to a manager, and the purpose is clear from the outset. The ideas are well-developed and relevant, meeting all the requirements of the task effectively.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The letter is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph focuses on a specific aspect of the request, which makes the letter easy to follow. You use appropriate cohesive devices such as 'I am writing to', 'Ideally', and 'I believe', which help to connect your sentences and paragraphs smoothly. The paragraphing is used effectively to separate the introduction, the specific request, the benefits, and the closing. The flow of information is natural and professional throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for a formal business context. Phrases such as 'pursue part-time studies', 'contribute to the company', and 'dedicate sufficient time' are used accurately. While the vocabulary is functional and precise, it is mostly standard. To reach a higher band, you could incorporate slightly more sophisticated collocations or nuanced business terminology. However, the current range is sufficient to convey your meaning clearly and professionally without any errors in word choice or collocation.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

Your writing is highly accurate, with almost no grammatical errors. You use a variety of sentence structures, including complex sentences like 'I am writing to request a reduction in my working hours so that I can pursue part-time studies while continuing to contribute to the company.' Punctuation is used correctly throughout, and the verb tenses are consistent. The control over grammar is strong, and the text is error-free, which is indicative of a high level of proficiency.

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

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