Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-09-23

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 7.5)

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am writing to request a reduction in my working hours so that I can study part time for a professional qualification.

At present, I work from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. from Monday to Friday. I would like to reduce my hours to 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Monday to Friday. This arrangement would give me enough time to attend classes and complete my assignments in the evenings.

I believe that my studies would also benefit the company. The course is closely related to my current position and will improve my knowledge and professional skills. In particular, I expect to develop better communication, problem-solving and organisational skills, which I could apply to my daily responsibilities. I would also be able to take on more challenging tasks in the future.

I would be grateful if you could consider my request. I am happy to discuss this arrangement at your convenience.

Yours faithfully,

Dev Patel

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.5

The response fully and effectively satisfies all bullet points of the task instructions. The student clearly explains the reason for wanting to reduce working hours ("to study part time for a professional qualification"), specifies the exact hours desired ("9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Monday to Friday"), and outlines multiple benefits for the employer, such as improved communication, problem-solving, and organisational skills that directly apply to daily responsibilities. The tone is appropriately formal and polite throughout, maintaining the conventions of a workplace letter. All parts of the prompt are well-developed and supported with relevant, realistic details without any irrelevant tangents. Therefore, the response comfortably earns a Band 8.0 for this criterion.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.5

The letter exhibits a clear logical organisation and natural progression of ideas from the initial request to the proposed schedule, employer benefits, and concluding remarks. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately, with each paragraph having a distinct and focused purpose. Cohesive devices are managed well without feeling mechanical or overused, as seen in transitions like "At present," "In particular," and "I would also be able to." Referencing is clear throughout the text, ensuring the reader effortlessly follows the writer's line of reasoning. This performance aligns fully with the Band 8.0 descriptors for coherence and cohesion.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.5

The student demonstrates an adequate and appropriate lexical range for a general workplace correspondence task. Phrases such as "professional qualification," "arrangements," "daily responsibilities," and "at your convenience" are used accurately. While the vocabulary is natural and correctly chosen, it leans slightly towards standard functional language rather than wide or sophisticated uncommon lexical items. Spelling and word choice are entirely accurate throughout the response. The control of vocabulary supports clear and professional communication, fitting the criteria for a Band 7.0.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 7.5

The student displays a very good command of grammar and punctuation, successfully employing a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. Examples such as "I am writing to request a reduction... so that I can study..." and "I believe that my studies would also benefit the company" demonstrate accurate control over dependent clauses and modal verbs. The vast majority of sentences are completely error-free, and punctuation is handled correctly throughout. The control and accuracy shown here comfortably reach the Band 8.0 level.

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