Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-09-18

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. James,

I am writing to request an internal department transfer to the investment division. I joined the organization two years ago as a management trainee and was promoted to finance manager last year. However, I believe I am more interested in fund management than accounting.

While I was working as a management trainee, I learned team management, work prioritization, and coordination with suppliers. After the promotion, I was more involved with report preparation on strict deadlines, and presentations to board members, which enhanced my presentation skills and efficiency.

As I completed my master's program specializing in fund management, I realised that I am more competent in this subject area. Therefore, I am confident that I can make investment decisions and manage the company portfolio well. Since the company is looking to increase revenue through investment income, I am willing to help the company and team with my knowledge.

Although there are plenty of opportunities in the market, I would like to stay in the company because the firm helped me with flexible time schedules while I was pursuing my master's program. Additionally, I believe the company has a great future for me.

I hope you will consider my request and I hope to hear from you soon.

Yours sincerely,

Yumi G.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The student has successfully covered all bullet points outlined in the task prompt. The letter clearly states what was learned in the present job as a management trainee and finance manager, such as team management, work prioritization, and report preparation. Furthermore, the writer suggests how the company would benefit from moving to a different department, specifically citing their master's degree in fund management and ability to assist with increasing revenue through investment income. Finally, the response explains why the writer wishes to stay with the company, mentioning the firm's support regarding flexible time schedules during their studies. The tone is appropriate for a formal business letter, and the purpose is communicated effectively from the opening sentence. The response fully satisfies all requirements of the General Training Task 1 prompt with clear and well-developed ideas.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The letter exhibits a clear logical progression from the opening request to the reasons for transferring, the benefits to the company, and the reasons for remaining with the current employer. Paragraphing is used effectively, with each distinct point given its own paragraph, such as the separation of duties learned, future contributions, and company loyalty. Cohesive devices are used naturally throughout the response, for instance, phrases like 'While I was working', 'After the promotion', and 'Additionally'. Referencing is clear, and the overall arrangement follows standard business letter conventions, ensuring that ideas flow smoothly and are easy to follow without any mechanical or awkward transitions.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

The student demonstrates a sufficient and appropriate range of vocabulary for a workplace correspondence. Less common lexical items and collocations are used effectively, such as 'internal department transfer', 'work prioritization', 'investment division', and 'company portfolio'. Word choices are generally precise, and terms related to finance and career progression are deployed accurately. There are no spelling errors, and vocabulary use is natural and well-suited to the context. Although the range is slightly less extensive than what might be expected for an elite band 8 score, the lexical resource is strong, flexible, and completely adequate for conveying detailed professional information without any misunderstanding.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5

The writer displays a good variety of sentence structures, successfully combining simple sentences with complex constructions, such as 'While I was working as a management trainee, I learned team management, work prioritization, and coordination with suppliers.' There is good control of verb tenses, moving naturally between the past simple for previous experiences and the present and future simple for current motivations and future plans. Punctuation and article use are consistently accurate. The majority of sentences are error-free, and minor slips are absent. The grammatical control is solid, supporting clear and precise communication throughout the letter.

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

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