Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-09-21

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 Michelle,

I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing this to request you to reduce my working hours as I want to study part time.

As we know, AI is booming and there are numerous benefits associated with AI. Due to this, I have decided to take a small course of AI fundamentals. However, this course is live and scheduled on weekdays. Therefore, I want to reduce my working hours just for a month so that I can concentrate without worrying about work. Furthermore, this course will start at 5 p.m. and end at 8 p.m. Currently, my work time is from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., however I would like to change to 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

I believe this course is very helpful. Once I get the basic understanding about AI, we can integrate it into our project by making it automatic.

If you need more information about this course, feel free to reach out.

Yours sincerely,

Sam Mistry

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The student has addressed all parts of the task effectively. The letter clearly explains why the reduction in working hours is desired (to take an AI course), specifies the exact hours the writer would like to work (7 a.m. to 3 p.m.), and describes how the studies would benefit the employer (integrating AI into current projects to automate them). The tone is appropriate for a formal letter to a boss, and the purpose is maintained consistently throughout the text. The ideas are well-developed and relevant, fulfilling all bullet points of the prompt satisfactorily, which aligns well with a solid Band 7.0 performance.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The letter demonstrates a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. The paragraphs are structured logically, moving from the opening statement and reason, to schedule details, and finally to employer benefits and a closing remark. Cohesive devices are used adequately, such as 'Furthermore', 'Therefore', and 'Once'. Paragraphing is sufficient and appropriate for a short letter. While the cohesive mechanisms are somewhat straightforward rather than sophisticated, the overall arrangement is coherent and easy to follow, making this a clear Band 7.0.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The student uses an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, successfully incorporating terms like 'booming', 'integrate', and 'concentrate'. There are some attempts at less common phrasing, such as 'numerous benefits associated with AI'. However, the vocabulary is at times slightly repetitive or basic, such as using 'course' multiple times ('small course', 'live course') and 'reduce my working hours'. Word choice is generally natural, and spelling is accurate throughout, representing a reliable Band 6.5 performance.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The student demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, using conditional and subordinate clauses successfully (e.g., 'so that I can concentrate without worrying about work' and 'Once I get the basic understanding about AI, we can integrate it'). Grammar and punctuation control is generally good, with frequent error-free sentences. There are minor awkwardness issues, such as 'I am writing this to request you to reduce', but these do not impede communication. The grammatical control fits comfortably within the Band 7.0 descriptors.

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

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