IELTS General Writing Task 1: Letter Requesting Time Off Work (Band 9 Sample)
This General Training Task 1 asks you to write a formal letter to your manager requesting time off work. A band-9 letter covers all three bullet points, keeps a polite and professional tone, and reassures the reader that your work will be covered. Below is a model letter of roughly 190 words, followed by why it scores 9 on all four criteria.
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01 · The task
You need to take some time off work for a personal reason. Write a letter to your manager. In your letter: explain why you need the time off, say how long you will need to be away, and suggest how your work could be covered while you are gone.
02 · Band 9 sample answer
191 words · Band 9Dear Ms Adams,
I am writing to request a period of leave for personal reasons. My elderly father, who lives several hours away, has recently had a fall and will need help at home while he recovers. As I am his only close relative nearby, I would like to be with him during this time.
I would be grateful if I could take two weeks off, ideally beginning on the 12th of this month. I fully understand that this is short notice, and I am very sorry for any inconvenience it may cause during a busy period.
To make sure my absence does not disrupt the team, I have given some thought to how my work could be covered. I would be happy to complete the urgent Henderson report before I leave, and my colleague Tom has kindly agreed to handle any day-to-day queries in my absence. I will also remain contactable by email for anything genuinely urgent.
Thank you for your understanding, and please let me know if you would like to discuss this further.
Yours sincerely, Lan Pham
03 · Why this scores Band 9
All three bullet points are fully covered — the reason for the leave (caring for an injured father), the length (two weeks from a specific date), and a clear plan for covering the work (finishing an urgent report, a colleague handling queries, remaining contactable). Each point is developed with concrete, reassuring detail.
The letter follows a logical structure — the request and reason, the timing, the cover plan, and a courteous close — one idea per paragraph. Cohesion is smooth — "I would be grateful if...", "To make sure my absence does not disrupt the team..." — and the opening and closing are correctly paired for a named recipient.
The vocabulary is precise and professional — "request a period of leave", "short notice", "any inconvenience it may cause", "cover my work", "remain contactable" — striking exactly the polite, considerate tone a request to a manager requires.
A range of structures is used accurately: a non-defining relative clause ("My elderly father, who lives several hours away"), a polite conditional ("I would be grateful if I could take two weeks off"), and a purpose clause ("To make sure my absence does not disrupt the team"). The formal register is maintained, and the letter is error-free.
04 · Useful collocations for this task
Tap a phrase to see what it means and how to use it. Natural collocations like these lift your Lexical Resource score.
05 · Frequently asked questions
What tone should a request to a manager use?
Polite and professional. Since you usually know your manager's name, open "Dear Mr/Ms [Surname]," and close "Yours sincerely,". Be considerate about the inconvenience and reassuring about cover — a courteous tone makes the request easier to grant.
How much detail should I give about my reason?
Enough to be convincing without oversharing. A clear, believable reason ("my father has had a fall and needs help") covers the bullet point well. You are not obliged to give every private detail.
Why include a plan for covering my work?
It is one of the bullet points and it makes your request far more persuasive. Suggesting how tasks will be handled ("a colleague will take queries, I'll finish the urgent report") shows responsibility, which is central to Task Achievement.
How long should the letter be?
At least 150 words; a band-9 letter is usually 170–200. This model is 191 words, enough to cover all three bullets professionally without padding.
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