Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-09-11

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 ask if I could reduce my working hours because I would like to study part-time. Continuing my education is very important to me, but I also want to continue working for the company.

I would like to reduce my schedule to around 20 hours per week. I am available to work in the evenings and on weekends. I can also be flexible with my working days when the company needs extra help. This schedule would give me enough time to attend my classes, complete assignments, and prepare for exams.

My part-time studies will also benefit the company. I will gain new knowledge, improve my communication and problem-solving skills, and become more confident. I can use these skills in my job and provide better service to customers and coworkers.

I hope you will consider my request. Thank you for your time and understanding. I look forward to your response.

Yours sincerely,

Yatin

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response successfully addresses all three bullet points of the prompt. You clearly state the reason for the request (part-time study), specify the desired hours (20 hours per week, including evenings and weekends), and explain the benefits to the employer (new skills, improved communication, and problem-solving). The tone is appropriate for a formal letter to a manager. The ideas are relevant and well-developed, ensuring the reader understands both your needs and the value you continue to bring to the company. The letter is well-structured and fulfills the requirements of the task effectively.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The letter is logically organized, with each paragraph focusing on a specific requirement of the prompt. The progression of ideas is clear, moving from the request to the logistics and finally to the benefits. You use appropriate cohesive devices such as 'I am also', 'This schedule', and 'My part-time studies will also' to link sentences and paragraphs smoothly. The paragraphing is used effectively to separate the different aspects of your request, making the letter easy to follow and professional in its presentation.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

The vocabulary is accurate and appropriate for a formal business context. You use clear, functional language such as 'reduce my working hours', 'flexible', and 'provide better service'. While the vocabulary is sufficient and precise, it is somewhat standard. To reach a higher band, you could incorporate more sophisticated collocations or nuanced professional terminology. However, there are no errors in word choice or spelling, and the language used is natural and fits the context of the letter perfectly.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The grammar is highly accurate throughout the letter. You demonstrate a good command of sentence structures, including a mix of simple and complex sentences, such as 'Continuing my education is very important to me, but I also want to continue working for the company.' Punctuation is used correctly, and there are no significant grammatical errors. The writing is clear and error-free, which allows the message to be conveyed without any confusion. The control over tense and modal verbs is consistent and correct.

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

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