Band 9.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 9.0 · Cambridge IELTS 13 · 2026-08-20

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

You work for an international company, and would like to spend six months working in its head office in another country. Write a letter to your manager. In your letter

• explain why you want to work in the company's head office for six months
• say how your work could be done while you are away
• ask for his/her help in arranging it

You do NOT need to write any addresses.

Begin your letter as follows:

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

Student answer (Band 9.0)

Dear Mr. Anderson,

I am writing to request the opportunity to spend six months working at our company’s head office in Singapore. I believe this temporary assignment would be highly beneficial both to my professional development and to the company.

I have been working with the company for several years and would like to gain a broader understanding of our international operations. Working alongside colleagues at the head office would allow me to learn about different business practices, improve my knowledge of international projects and develop stronger professional relationships with teams in other countries. I am confident that these skills would enable me to contribute more effectively to our organisation when I return.

While I am away, I would ensure that my current responsibilities continue without disruption. Routine tasks could be handled by my colleague, who is already familiar with our procedures, while I could complete projects that require my direct involvement remotely. I would also remain available by email and video call and provide regular updates to ensure a smooth transition.

I would greatly appreciate your assistance in discussing this possibility with the relevant department and helping me arrange the necessary transfer, accommodation and work-permit requirements. I would be happy to provide any further information you may need.

Thank you for considering my request. I look forward to hearing from you

Kinds Regards

Prachi

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 9.0

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You clearly explain the motivation for the transfer, provide a logical plan for managing your current workload, and make a polite request for assistance. The tone is consistently professional and appropriate for a formal letter to a manager. The ideas are well-developed, and the structure follows the requirements of the task perfectly. There are no omissions, and the purpose of the letter is clear from the opening paragraph.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 9.0

The letter is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a distinct focus: the purpose of the request, the benefits, the workload management plan, and the call to action. Cohesive devices such as 'While I am away', 'In addition', and 'I am confident that' are used effectively to link sentences and paragraphs. The paragraphing is skillful, and the flow of information is natural and easy to follow throughout the entire response.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.5

You demonstrate a wide and precise range of vocabulary appropriate for a professional context. Phrases such as 'temporary assignment', 'broader understanding', 'direct involvement', and 'smooth transition' show a high level of lexical control. The language is natural and sophisticated, with no errors in word choice or collocation. The vocabulary used is well-suited to the formal tone required for this task, and you avoid repetition by using varied terminology to describe your professional goals and responsibilities.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 9.0

The response displays a wide range of grammatical structures with high accuracy. You successfully use complex sentences, such as 'While I am away, I would ensure that my current responsibilities continue without disruption,' and 'I would greatly appreciate your assistance in discussing this possibility with the relevant department.' Punctuation is used correctly throughout, and there are no grammatical errors. The control over verb tenses and modal verbs is excellent, contributing to the professional and persuasive tone of the letter.

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

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