Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-09-14

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 request a reduction in my working hours so that I can pursue a part-time course in Business Management.

I have been working with the company for the past three years, and I believe that gaining further qualifications will help me develop my professional skills. I would therefore like to reduce my working hours from five days a week to four days. Ideally, I would prefer to work from Monday to Thursday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and attend my classes on Fridays and weekends.

I believe that this course would also benefit the company in the long term. It would improve my knowledge of management, communication and business strategy, which I could apply to my current role. In addition, I would be able to take on more responsibility and contribute more effectively to the team.

I would be grateful if you could consider my request. I am happy to discuss this arrangement at a convenient time.

Yours sincerely,

[Your Name]

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response fully and effectively satisfies all the bullet points outlined in the task instructions. The student clearly explains the reason for wanting to reduce working hours, stating 'so that I can pursue a part-time course in Business Management.' Additionally, the specific working hours are clearly detailed ('four days... from Monday to Thursday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.'), and the benefits to the employer are well developed, highlighting improved management knowledge, communication skills, and the capacity to 'take on more responsibility and contribute more effectively to the team.' The tone is entirely appropriate for a formal business letter to a supervisor. The candidate has fully addressed all parts of the prompt with well-developed ideas, earning a high band score for Task Achievement.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The letter exhibits a clear logical organisation and natural progression throughout. Ideas are logically sequenced, moving smoothly from the initial request in the opening paragraph, to personal background and schedule specifics in the second, and finally to business benefits and closing remarks in the subsequent paragraphs. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately, with each paragraph focusing on a distinct aspect of the letter. Cohesive devices such as 'I would therefore like', 'In addition', and 'I would be grateful' are used accurately and unobtrusively, ensuring that the relationships between ideas are always clear to the reader.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

The student demonstrates a sufficient and appropriate range of vocabulary for a formal workplace request, successfully utilizing less common items and business-related collocations such as 'pursue a part-time course', 'develop my professional skills', and 'business strategy'. Word choice and collocations are generally precise, though the vocabulary remains relatively standard rather than highly sophisticated. There are no spelling or word choice errors, and the language is natural and precise throughout. This performance aligns comfortably with the descriptors for a Band 7.0.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The writer displays excellent control over grammatical structures, employing a good mix of complex sentences with subordinate clauses ('so that I can pursue', 'which I could apply to my current role') alongside clear, accurate simple sentences. The majority of sentences are completely error-free, and punctuation is handled correctly throughout the formal layout. Minor errors are virtually non-existent, and syntax is handled with a high degree of accuracy. This strong command of grammar and punctuation clearly meets the criteria for an 8.0 band score.

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

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