Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-07-31

IELTS Writing Task 2 question

The working week should be shorter and workers should have a longer weekend.

Do you agree or disagree?

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

Student answer (Band 8.0)

Over the past several decades, discussions regarding the length of the working week for the employed have attracted a great deal of attention. Many people believe that they deserve to have the working week shortened with a longer weekend in return, stating a multitude of reasons for this. Some would like to spend more time with relatives at home; and others are simply exhausted. This essay will state the reasons for why I strongly agree with this statement.

I believe it is crucial that we understand why a majority of people are adamant on getting their week cut short. Reports state that the most prominent reasoning would be feeling detached from family members at home, and hoping to restore a sense of connection that was lost, even if it meant losing one mere day of work. Of course, with the current economic state of the world, it would make sense why some would push for a longer working week instead. However, no amount of money will ever compare to the beautiful bond that you form with your kids, parents or grandchildren. Such a deep bond often loses its meaning once life gets too busy, hence why many would love to have at least one extra day to restore what was lost. After all, money is not everything this world has to offer. For example, I may be a student, but I am a student who has seen my dad suffer from endless workload, and I do not remember the last time I was able to sit with him and have a meaningful conversation with him without him being knee-deep into his books and laptop. Not only would I love for him to stay with us more, but I am sure that he would appreciate the break.

Furthermore, It is important to look at how many young adults have lost their identities and sense of liberation in the names of a paycheck. If you look around in a restaurant, a hospital or a school, you will see nothing but tired, emotionless faces, waiting for the day to be over, only for the next day to leave them in the same miserable state all week until the weekend rolls around. Such people are often deprived of adequate sleep and have likely been unable to fully enjoy their short weekend because of how exhausted the week has left them. They've got little energy to be self-indulgent. That has got to be depressing. It is an endless cycle of tiring work to poor sleep, and little to no freedom or joy. Therefore, a longer weekend would be beneficial to those who suffer from these issues, as they would have more time to not only rest and reflect on the previous week, but also to go out and experience the happiness in life. Revisiting my father's situation mentioned earlier, I must note that I feel an immeasureable amount of amusement whenever I see my dad finally living life for all the beauty it offers. I am sure that many parents and employees alike would love to experience such joy all year long every week, rather than only during the annual holidays.

In conclusion, I am of the belief that longer weekends and shorter working weeks are a necessity, and implementing it would have an increasingly positive impact worldwide for all employees. It would allow the workers to feel human, rather than a puppet to be ordered around all week long. They would be given the opportunity to reconnect with their family and friends longer, and make up for the rest they've lost through working while also getting to be a little self-indulgent. We must let go of the belief that money buys happiness, as it has proven to be wrong and invalid repeatedly.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the task. You have taken a clear position from the introduction and maintained it throughout the essay. The ideas are well-developed, particularly the focus on family connection and the psychological impact of overwork. You provide relevant personal examples, such as the observation of your father's workload, which adds depth to your argument. The essay is well-structured, and the arguments are extended logically. To reach the highest band, ensure that your supporting points remain focused on the broader societal implications of a shorter working week, rather than occasionally drifting into personal anecdotes, though your current approach is highly effective.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and you use a variety of cohesive devices such as 'Furthermore', 'Therefore', and 'In conclusion' to link your points effectively. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct arguments. The flow between sentences is generally smooth, though some transitions could be slightly more sophisticated to avoid a mechanical feel. Overall, the information is presented in a coherent manner that is easy for the reader to follow, meeting the requirements for a high band score.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary, using terms like 'adamant', 'liberation', 'deprived', and 'immeasurable' appropriately. There is an attempt to use less common lexical items, which adds precision to your writing. While there are occasional minor inaccuracies in collocation or word choice, such as 'amusement' in the context of seeing your father happy (which might be better expressed as 'satisfaction' or 'joy'), these do not impede communication. The vocabulary is sufficient to convey your arguments clearly and with a degree of sophistication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures effectively. There is good control over punctuation and grammar, with the majority of your sentences being error-free. You successfully employ complex structures, such as conditional sentences and relative clauses. While there are occasional slips, such as 'It is important to look at how many young adults have lost their identities... in the names of a paycheck' (where 'in the name of' would be more idiomatic), these are rare and do not affect the clarity of your message. Your control over grammar is consistent throughout the piece.

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