Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-08-20

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 8.0)

In modern societies, a large number of individuals have hectic lifestyles due to demanding careers, which leave them with less time for recreational activities. While it assists people to earn six-figure salaries and excel in their professional careers, it also deprives them of quality time with family and leads to mental exhaustion.

On the one hand, the advantages of working longer hours cannot be ignored. Individuals earn handsome salaries and fulfill their career ambitions, which is not only a rewarding experience, but also fosters a sense of accomplishment. This helps them to climb the ladder of success and make their way to higher positions in the professional hierarchy. For instance, in many IT firms, young aspirants survive cut-throat competition by working day and night to excel in their careers.

On the other hand, the disadvantages of this trend are far more significant to people's lives. By working longer hours, they are left with limited time to spend with friends and families, which is deleterious to their emotional health. If they do not spare enough time to rejuvenate imperative relationships, they risk losing their loved ones which could be detrimental to their happiness. Furthermore, insufficient participation in recreational activities predisposes them to mental stress. Since leisure activities are a cathartic outlet for stress, having a little time to indulge in the same while working day and night, leads to mental exhaustion.

In conclusion, although earning well and getting successful is crucial in modern life to survive the fierce competition, participation in leisure activities is paramount to strengthen personal relationships and to overcome mental exhaustion. Therefore, I believe the demerits are far more significant than the merits offered by the phenomenon of working longer hours.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response fully addresses all parts of the task. You have clearly stated your position in the introduction and maintained it throughout the essay. The ideas are well-developed, with the first body paragraph discussing the professional benefits and the second body paragraph focusing on the social and mental health drawbacks. The conclusion effectively synthesizes these points to support your final stance. The arguments are logical and relevant, providing a balanced view before concluding that the disadvantages outweigh the advantages. To reach a higher band, you could provide more specific, real-world examples beyond the general mention of IT firms to further illustrate your points.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between paragraphs is smooth, using cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand' and 'On the other hand'. You have used a range of linking words effectively, such as 'furthermore', 'since', and 'therefore'. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the flow of information is easy to follow. The use of referencing is clear, and the overall structure supports the development of your argument well. The cohesion is managed effectively throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary, including some sophisticated items such as 'deleterious', 'rejuvenate', 'imperative', and 'cathartic'. These choices show an awareness of style and collocation. There are no significant errors in word choice that impede communication. While the vocabulary is precise and appropriate for the context, incorporating a few more idiomatic expressions or nuanced collocations could further enhance the lexical range. Overall, the vocabulary is sufficient to convey your ideas with precision and clarity.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay displays a good variety of complex sentence structures, such as conditional clauses ('If they do not spare...') and participial phrases ('Since leisure activities are...'). The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over grammar and punctuation is strong. There are only very occasional minor slips, such as the phrasing 'having a little time to indulge in the same', which is slightly awkward. However, these do not interfere with the overall meaning. Your ability to use a mix of simple and complex structures is consistent and effective.

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