Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-08-19
IELTS Writing Task 2 question
Many people work long hours, leaving very little time for leisure activities.
Does this situation have more advantages or more disadvantages?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Student answer (Band 6.5)
In recent years, an increasing number of people spend a long time at work, which leaves very little time or no time for leisure activities. While there are a few advantages such as their earnings has been increased, the disadvantages outweigh the benefits. This essay will discuss both the benefits and the drawbacks.
One of the main benefits of working for long hours is that it can help a person to live a better life. In fast-paced world, many individuals believe that life could be better if they have their own house and a car. So, working for long hours result in more money, which they can use to fulfil their need, which can give them a sense of satisfaction that they are living a better life.
On the other hand, there are a few disadvantages of working long hours. Many individuals spend most of their day at work which has significantly affected their social life. They do not have a time for leisure activities such as spending time with friends or family, and it is often seen that those individuals who do not have friends or relatives generally suffer from stress and anxiety. In addition to it, many working people spend their entire lives in making money, and do not give enough time to their children, especially during their teenage when children need their parents most. As a result, when children grown up, they often leave their parents at old age home, because they are generally not emotionally attached with their parents.
In conclusion, spending long hours at work can improve a person finances, while they may increase the risk of health problems such as stress and anxiety, and they may feel isolated during their old age.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 6.0 |
| Overall | 6.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5
The essay addresses all parts of the prompt, clearly stating a position that the disadvantages outweigh the advantages. The ideas are relevant and generally well-developed, particularly the discussion on the impact of long working hours on family dynamics and mental health. However, the development of the 'advantages' section is somewhat limited, relying on general statements about 'living a better life' and 'buying a car' without exploring the broader economic or professional benefits in depth. To reach a higher band, ensure that both sides of the argument are explored with equal depth and provide more nuanced examples to support the claims made.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0
The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the benefits from the drawbacks. Cohesive devices such as 'On the other hand', 'In addition to it', and 'As a result' are used to guide the reader through the argument. However, some transitions feel slightly mechanical, and there are minor issues with referencing, such as the use of 'they' in the conclusion, which lacks a clear antecedent for the second clause. Overall, the progression of ideas is clear and easy to follow throughout the response.
Lexical Resource — Band 6.0
The range of vocabulary is adequate for the task. You use some topic-specific terms like 'fast-paced world', 'emotionally attached', and 'isolated'. However, there are some inaccuracies in collocation and word choice, such as 'improve a person finances' (should be 'finances' or 'financial situation') and 'old age home' (more commonly 'nursing home' or 'care facility'). The vocabulary is generally sufficient to convey meaning, but it lacks the precision and flexibility required for a higher band. Expanding your range of collocations and idiomatic expressions would help elevate your score in this criterion.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0
The essay demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While you attempt complex sentences, there are several grammatical errors that persist. For example, 'their earnings has been increased' (subject-verb agreement error), 'working for long hours result' (should be 'results'), and 'when children grown up' (should be 'grow up'). Additionally, there are minor punctuation and article usage issues throughout. While these errors do not impede communication, they occur frequently enough to prevent a higher score. Focusing on subject-verb agreement and verb tense consistency will significantly improve your accuracy.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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