Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-07-27

IELTS Writing Task 2 question

Some people think that it’s a good idea to socialise with work colleagues during evenings and weekends. Other people think it’s important to keep working life completely separate from social life.

Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Student answer (Band 8.5)

People have different opinions about whether employees should spend their free time with work colleagues. While some believe that socialising outside the workplace strengthens relationships and teamwork, others argue that work and personal life should remain separate. This essay will discuss both views before explaining why I believe a balanced approach is the best solution.

On the one hand, spending time with colleagues outside working hours can improve communication and cooperation. Informal gatherings, such as dinners or weekend outings, allow employees to get to know one another in a relaxed environment. As a result, they often develop stronger friendships and greater trust, which can lead to better teamwork in the workplace. For example, many companies organise team-building activities because employees who have good personal relationships are often more productive and supportive of one another.

On the other hand, many people believe that work should not interfere with personal life. Evenings and weekends are valuable opportunities to spend time with family, pursue hobbies, and relax after a busy work schedule. If employees continue to socialise with colleagues during their free time, they may feel as though they are never truly away from work. In addition, not everyone enjoys mixing their professional and private lives, and some people prefer to keep clear boundaries to reduce stress and maintain their privacy.

In my opinion, occasional social activities with colleagues are beneficial, but they should never become an obligation. Employees should have the freedom to decide whether they wish to participate, depending on their personal commitments and preferences. This balanced approach allows people to build positive workplace relationships while still maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

In conclusion, although socialising with colleagues can improve teamwork and workplace relationships, keeping personal and professional lives separate is equally important for maintaining privacy and reducing stress. Therefore, I believe that occasional social interaction outside work is valuable, provided it remains voluntary and does not interfere with personal life.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You have clearly discussed both perspectives—the benefits of socialising for team cohesion and the importance of maintaining personal boundaries—and provided a well-reasoned personal opinion. The ideas are extended and supported with relevant examples, such as the mention of team-building activities and the need for personal time for hobbies. Your position is consistent and clearly stated in the introduction, the body paragraphs, and the conclusion. The development of ideas is logical and balanced, meeting the requirements for a high band score.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5

The essay is logically organised with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central topic, and the transition between paragraphs is smooth, using appropriate cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand', 'On the other hand', and 'In conclusion'. The use of referencing is accurate, and the flow of information is natural. Paragraphing is used effectively to separate the different viewpoints and your own opinion, which helps the reader follow your argument easily. There is no evidence of mechanical or repetitive use of linking words; the cohesion is managed skilfully throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary that is appropriate for the task. You use precise terms such as 'professional and private lives', 'personal commitments', and 'voluntary'. The language is natural and conveys your meaning clearly. While the vocabulary is accurate and fits the context well, it could be slightly more sophisticated to reach the highest band. However, the current range is sufficient to express your ideas with precision and flexibility. There are no noticeable errors in word choice or collocation that impede communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5

The essay displays a good variety of complex sentence structures, such as the use of conditional clauses ('if employees continue to socialise...') and subordinate clauses ('while some believe that...'). The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation and grammar is strong. There are no significant grammatical errors that distract the reader. The structure is varied, moving between simple and complex sentences effectively, which contributes to the overall readability and professional tone of the essay.

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