Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-09-09

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

You work for an international company. You have seen an advertisement for a training course which will be useful for your job.

Write a letter to your manager. In your letter

• describe the training course you want to do
• explain what the company could do to help you
• say how the course will be useful for your job

You do NOT need to write any addresses.

Begin your letter as follows:

Dear Sir or Madam,

Student answer (Band 8.0)

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing to request some flexibility in my working hours as I would like to attend a training course related to my job.

The course focuses on cash management and investment advice and is specifically designed for people working in the financial sector. It will help me develop practical knowledge that I can use while dealing with customers and answering their investment-related questions.

The classes will be held in the evening, so I would need to leave the office slightly earlier on the days when I attend the course. I would be happy to start work earlier or complete any urgent tasks before leaving to ensure that my work is not affected.

I believe this course would be beneficial not only for my professional development but also for the company. With better knowledge of cash management and investments, I would be able to assist customers more effectively and provide them with accurate information.

I would appreciate your consideration of my request and look forward to hearing from you.

Yours faithfully,

Ana

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response successfully addresses all three bullet points of the prompt. You clearly describe the course content, explain the necessary support from your manager regarding working hours, and articulate the professional benefits for both yourself and the company. The tone is appropriate for a formal business letter, and the purpose is clear from the outset. The ideas are well-developed and logically presented, ensuring the reader understands exactly what is being requested and why. There are no omissions, and the response maintains a consistent focus on the task requirements throughout.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The letter is well-organized with a clear logical progression. Each paragraph serves a distinct purpose, moving from the request to the course details, the logistical requirements, and finally the benefits. Cohesive devices such as 'The course focuses on', 'The classes will be held', and 'I believe this course' are used effectively to link ideas. Paragraphing is used appropriately, and the transition between the request for flexibility and the justification for the course is smooth. The overall structure is coherent and easy to follow, meeting the requirements for a high band score.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for a professional setting, such as 'flexibility', 'financial sector', 'professional development', and 'accurate information'. The word choice is precise and natural throughout the letter. While the vocabulary is functional and accurate, it stays within a relatively standard range. To reach a higher band, you could incorporate more sophisticated collocations or nuanced professional terminology related to training and corporate requests. However, the current range is more than sufficient to convey your message clearly and professionally without any errors in word choice.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The grammar is highly accurate, with a variety of complex sentence structures used effectively. For example, your use of conditional clauses ('if I attend', 'I would be happy to') and relative clauses ('that I can use', 'when I attend') shows good control. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and the punctuation is handled correctly. There are no significant grammatical slips that impede communication. The control over tense and modal verbs is consistent, reflecting a high level of proficiency in written English.

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

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