Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-09-03

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. Smith,

I am writing to ask whether it would be possible to reduce my working hours so that I can continue my studies on a part-time basis.

I have recently been accepted into a part-time course in project management, which I believe will help me develop skills that are useful for my current position. However, attending the classes while continuing my present work schedule would be quite difficult. Therefore, I would like to reduce my working hours temporarily.

Ideally, I would like to work from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. from Monday to Friday instead of my current full-time schedule. This would allow me enough time to attend my evening classes while still completing most of my responsibilities at work.

I believe these studies would also benefit the company. The course will improve my planning, communication, and team-management skills, which I could apply directly to my work. In the long term, I would be able to take on greater responsibilities and contribute more effectively to future projects.

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

Kind regards,

Haris

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response fully addresses all three bullet points of the prompt. You clearly explain the reason for the request (part-time project management studies), specify the desired working hours (9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Monday to Friday), and provide a persuasive argument regarding how these studies will benefit the employer through improved skills. The tone is appropriate for a formal letter to a supervisor, and the purpose of the communication is clear from the outset. The ideas are well-developed and logically presented, meeting all requirements of the task effectively.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The letter is well-structured with a clear logical progression. Each paragraph focuses on a specific aspect of the prompt, moving smoothly from the request to the justification and the benefits. Cohesive devices such as 'Therefore', 'However', and 'In the long term' are used effectively to link ideas. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the introduction, body, and conclusion. The flow of information is natural, and the relationship between the request and the supporting arguments is easy to follow throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

The vocabulary is precise and appropriate for a professional context. You use a good range of topic-specific language such as 'part-time basis', 'current position', 'responsibilities', and 'contribute more effectively'. The word choice is accurate and conveys your meaning clearly without any noticeable errors. While the vocabulary is functional and fits the task well, incorporating a few more sophisticated collocations or idiomatic professional expressions could elevate the response further, but the current level is already quite strong and natural.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The grammar is highly accurate, with a variety of complex sentence structures used correctly. For example, the use of conditional clauses ('I would be grateful if you could...') and subordinate clauses ('...which I believe will help me...') demonstrates good control. Punctuation is used correctly throughout, and there are no significant errors that impede communication. The majority of sentences are error-free, and the overall control of grammar is consistent with a high level of proficiency.

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

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