Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-09

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

 

You started in your present job two years ago. You now feel it is important for your career development to move to a different department in the same company.

Write a letter to your manager. In your letter

• say what you have learned in your present job
• suggest how the company would benefit from moving you to a different department
• explain why you do not wish to leave the company

You do NOT need to write any addresses.

Begin your letter as follows:

Dear ....................................,

Student answer (Band 8.0)

Dear Mr Smith,

I hope you are doing well. I am writing to request a transfer to a different department, as I believe it is an important step for my professional development within the company.

Firstly, I have been working in my current position for the past two years and have gained valuable experience in my role. In addition, I have developed strong communication, organisational, and problem-solving skills, which have increased my confidence in handling different responsibilities. As a result, I now feel ready to take on new challenges and broaden my experience.

I would like to transfer to the Project Management Department because I have a keen interest in planning, coordinating projects, and working closely with different teams. I believe this department would provide me with greater opportunities to develop my leadership abilities and expand my professional knowledge.

I also believe this transfer would benefit the company, as I could apply the experience I have gained in my current role while contributing fresh ideas and improving collaboration between departments. I would appreciate it if you could consider my request and discuss any suitable opportunities with me.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely,

Navpreet Singh

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The letter effectively addresses all three bullet points required by the prompt. You clearly outline the skills gained in your current role, provide a logical justification for the transfer to the Project Management Department, and explain your commitment to the company. The tone is professional and appropriate for a formal request to a manager. The ideas are well-developed and the purpose of the letter is clear from the outset. To reach a higher band, you could provide even more specific examples of the 'fresh ideas' you intend to bring to the new department to further strengthen the persuasive element of your request.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The letter is well-structured with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a professional closing. Each paragraph focuses on a specific aspect of the prompt, ensuring a logical progression of ideas. You use cohesive devices such as 'Firstly', 'In addition', 'As a result', and 'I also believe' effectively to link your sentences and paragraphs. The flow is smooth and the reader can easily follow your argument. The paragraphing is appropriate for a formal letter, and the use of referencing is clear throughout.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for a professional context, such as 'professional development', 'valuable experience', 'organisational', and 'coordinating projects'. The word choice is precise and fits the formal tone of the letter. There are no spelling errors, and the collocations are natural. To move into the higher band, you could incorporate a few more sophisticated or less common lexical items to demonstrate greater flexibility, though the current range is more than sufficient for a clear and effective communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5

The grammar is highly accurate throughout the letter. You use a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as 'I am writing to request a transfer... as I believe...' and 'I would like to transfer... because I have a keen interest in...'. Punctuation is used correctly, and there are no noticeable errors that impede communication. The control over verb tenses is consistent, particularly when discussing past experience and future intentions. The writing is error-free and demonstrates a strong command of English syntax.

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

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