Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-09-07

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 7.0)

Dear Sir,

i am writing to request a reduction in my working hours so that I can study part-time.

I would like to reduce my working hours because I want to improve my qualifications and develop new skills. I believe that further education will help me achieve my career goals and become more useful to the company.

If possible, I would like to work from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Monday to Friday, instead of my current schedule. I would be happy to discuss other working hours if this arrangement is not convenient for the company.

My part-time studies would also benefit my employer because I would gain new knowledge and skills that could be applied to my work. In addition, I would be able to take on more responsibilities and contribute more effectively to the team in the future.

I hope you will consider my request. I would be grateful for an opportunity to discuss this matter with you.

Yours sincerely,

Pogi

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The letter successfully addresses all three bullet points required by the prompt. You clearly explain the motivation for the request, specify the desired working hours, and provide a logical argument for how the employer would benefit from your studies. 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 relevant, fulfilling the requirements of the task effectively. To reach a higher band, you could provide slightly more specific detail regarding the nature of the studies to further strengthen the argument for the employer's benefit.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The letter is well-organized with a clear logical progression. Each paragraph focuses on a specific aspect of the prompt, and the transition between the request, the proposed schedule, and the benefits is smooth. You use cohesive devices such as 'In addition' and 'If possible' effectively to link your ideas. The paragraphing is appropriate for a formal letter, and the overall structure is easy to follow. The flow of information is natural, and the letter maintains a consistent tone throughout, which contributes to its overall coherence.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The vocabulary used is appropriate for a formal business context. You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey your meaning clearly, such as 'reduction', 'qualifications', 'arrangement', and 'contribute'. While the vocabulary is functional and accurate, it is somewhat standard. To achieve a higher band, you could incorporate more sophisticated collocations or less common lexical items to demonstrate a wider range. However, there are no errors in word choice or spelling that impede communication, and the language is used with good control.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a good command of grammatical structures. The letter contains a mix of simple and complex sentences, such as the conditional structure 'If this arrangement is not convenient...' and the use of relative clauses. Punctuation is generally accurate, and the sentences are error-free for the most part. There is a minor slip in the opening where the personal pronoun 'i' is not capitalized. Aside from this, the grammar is consistent and supports clear communication. To improve, ensure consistent attention to capitalization and perhaps experiment with more varied sentence structures.

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

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