Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-09-14

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 8.0)

ocialising with work colleagues outside working hours has become a matter of considerable debate in contemporary society. While there are valid arguments on both sides, I believe that spending time with colleagues can be beneficial, provided that people maintain a reasonable boundary between their professional and personal lives. This essay will examine the key reasons behind both views and discuss their broader implications.

One significant reason for socialising with colleagues is that it can have a direct impact on people's mental well-being. This is largely because spending time with familiar people in a relaxed environment can help employees reduce stress and develop stronger relationships. Furthermore, informal conversations can allow colleagues to understand each other better, which can potentially lead to greater support in the workplace. For instance, employees who occasionally have dinner or participate in activities together may feel more comfortable discussing problems and supporting one another at work. Consequently, this can contribute to a healthier and more positive working environment.

However, another compelling argument is that keeping working life separate from social life can have broader implications for people's quality of life. More specifically, employees need sufficient time away from work to relax, spend time with family and maintain personal relationships. Moreover, constantly socialising with colleagues may make it difficult for people to mentally disconnect from their jobs. A clear example of this can be seen in employees who attend work-related gatherings every weekend and consequently have little time for their families or personal interests. As a result, maintaining a clear boundary between professional and social life can help people achieve a healthier balance.

In conclusion, while there are valid arguments concerning both approaches, I believe that socialising with work colleagues can be beneficial when it is voluntary and does not interfere with personal time. Ultimately, a balanced approach that takes into account people's mental well-being, social relationships and long-term interests is the most appropriate way forward.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response fully addresses all parts of the task by discussing both views—socialising with colleagues versus keeping working and personal lives separate—and clearly presents the author's own opinion. The position is well-maintained throughout the essay. The ideas are well-developed and supported with relevant explanations and examples, such as how informal conversations improve workplace support or how constant gatherings reduce time for families. The arguments are logical, cohesive, and directly target the prompt's requirements, demonstrating a strong understanding of what is expected for a Band 8 level in Task Achievement.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

Ideas are logically sequenced and progress naturally from the introduction through the body paragraphs to a clear conclusion. Paragraphing is used effectively, with each body paragraph focusing on a distinct view. Cohesive devices such as 'Furthermore', 'Consequently', and 'More specifically' are employed smoothly without being obtrusive. Referencing is clear throughout the text, allowing the reader to follow the train of thought effortlessly. The overall structure aligns very well with the Band 8 descriptors.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

The student demonstrates a wide and flexible lexical range, using appropriate collocation and style for an essay of this nature. Phrasing such as 'contemporary society', 'mental well-being', 'professional and personal lives', and 'broader implications' highlights a strong command of vocabulary. While the lexicon is fluent and natural, there is occasional repetition of common words like 'employees' and 'socialise'. However, the vocabulary is accurate and entirely appropriate, comfortably earning a Band 7.0 score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The essay displays a wide range of complex sentence structures, including conditional or concessive clauses ('While there are valid arguments...', 'provided that people maintain...'). The majority of sentences are completely error-free, and grammatical control is consistently strong. Punctuation is accurate, and punctuation errors are virtually non-existent. The few minor imperfections do not impede communication in any way. This high level of accuracy and structural variety fully justifies a Band 8.0 score.

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