Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-09-29

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 Mark,

I hope you are well and that your current project deadlines are going smoothly. I am writing to formally express my strong interest in transferring from the Finance to the Sales department, as I believe this would be a significant step towards my career development.

Since joining the company, I have developed key core skills, including communication, accounting and financial record management. Additionally, in my current role, I have closely monitored budgeting for various internal teams and authored internal memos and private company blogs.

I believe that moving to the Sales department will allow me to help the company address critical areas, such as reversing declining sales revenue while maintaining a 30 percent profit margin. These are highly beneficial avenues where the company should invest to increase its market share. Furthermore, I have already proactively addressed our sales resource shortage by successfully training team members through our internal incubation program.

The company has provided me with excellent perks and an invaluable learning environment. I remain completely dedicated to the organization and deeply appreciate the trust the leadership team has placed in me.

I have already submitted a formal request for a departmental transfer and hope you will review it favorably. I look forward to hearing your thoughts on this matter.

Yours sincerely,

Viral Siddhapura

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 8.0

The response successfully covers all parts of the bulleted task instructions. You clearly stated what you have learned in your present job, mentioning core skills such as communication and accounting, as well as monitoring budgeting. You also suggested how the company would benefit from your move by addressing sales revenue and resource shortages, and you explained why you do not wish to leave the company by highlighting the excellent perks and learning environment. Your tone is appropriately professional and formal for a general training letter to a manager. Ideas are relevant, well-developed, and logically extended throughout the letter, which comfortably satisfies the requirements for Band 8.0.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 8.0

The letter demonstrates a clear logical organization and progression from the opening salutation through to the final closing. Each paragraph has a distinct focus: introduction, current skills, benefits of the transfer, reasons for staying, and the call to action. Cohesive devices are used naturally and effectively, such as 'Additionally', 'Furthermore', and 'The company has provided me with', ensuring seamless transitions between ideas. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately throughout the response. The referencing and overall structural progression are well managed, aligning comfortably with the descriptors for a Band 8.0.

Lexical Resource: Band 8.0

You have demonstrated a wide and flexible range of vocabulary suited to a formal workplace context. Phrases such as 'formally express my strong interest', 'financial record management', and 'proactively addressed our sales resource shortage' show precise word choice and an awareness of collocation. While there are occasional conventional workplace phrases, the vocabulary allows for fluent and natural expression of complex business concepts without communication ever being impeded. This range and control easily meet the criteria for a Band 8.0.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 8.0

The letter exhibits a wide range of complex grammatical structures used with a high degree of accuracy. Sentences such as 'I am writing to formally express my strong interest in transferring from the Finance to the Sales department, as I believe this would be a significant step towards my career development' demonstrate excellent control of subordinate clauses. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and punctuation is handled correctly throughout. Only occasional, minor phrasing choices appear, which do not detract from the overall high quality of grammatical control, placing this response solidly at Band 8.0.

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