Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-06

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 7.0)

Many people believe that employees should work fewer days each week and enjoy a longer weekend. I completely agree with this view because a shorter working week can improve workers physical and mental well-being while also increasing productivity.

The primary reason for supporting a shorter working week is that it allows employees to achieve a healthier work-life balance. Many workers spend long hours at their jobs, leaving a little time for their families, hobbies, or adequate rest. As a result, they often experience stress, burnout, and other health problems. Having an additional day off would enable people to recover physically and mentally, spend quality time with loved ones, and pursue personal interests. Consequently, they are likely to return to work feeling refreshed and motivated.

Another important advantage is that businesses may benefit from increased productivity. Although some employers worry that reducing working hours could lower output, studies and real-world experiences have shown that well-rested employees tend to work more efficiently. They are more focused, make fewer mistakes, and generally more creative when solving problems. For example several companies that have introduced a four-day working week have reported higher employee satisfaction and, in some cases, improved overall performance despite fewer working hours.

However, I acknowledge that this approach may not be suitable for every industry. Essential services such as hospitals, emergency services, and public transport require staff to be available everyday. In these cases, employers could introduce rotating shifts so that workers still enjoy longer weekends without disrupting essential services.

In conclusion, I strongly agree that the working week should be shortened because it promotes better health, enhances job satisfaction, and can even improve productivity.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

You have fully addressed all parts of the prompt. Your position is clear from the introduction and is maintained consistently throughout the essay. The arguments regarding well-being and productivity are well-developed and supported with relevant examples, such as the mention of the four-day working week. You also demonstrate a balanced approach by acknowledging the limitations of this policy in essential service industries, which adds depth to your response. The ideas are extended logically, and the conclusion effectively summarises your stance. Overall, this is a well-structured and focused response that meets all the requirements of the task.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

Your essay is logically organised with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between paragraphs is smooth. You use a range of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'The primary reason', 'Another important advantage', 'Consequently', and 'However', which help guide the reader through your argument. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the relationship between ideas is clear throughout. There is no evidence of mechanical or repetitive use of linking words, and the overall structure supports the development of your argument well.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with precision. You use topic-specific terms such as 'well-being', 'burnout', 'productivity', and 'essential services' appropriately. While the vocabulary is generally accurate and natural, there is room to incorporate more sophisticated or less common lexical items to reach the highest band. For instance, instead of 'improve', you could use 'enhance' or 'bolster'. The word choice is consistently appropriate for the academic context, and there are no spelling or collocation errors that impede communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

You display a good command of grammatical structures, using a mix of simple and complex sentences effectively. For example, your use of conditional and concessive clauses (e.g., 'Although some employers worry that...') shows good control. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your punctuation is accurate. There are very few minor slips, such as the missing apostrophe in 'workers physical' (should be 'workers' physical') and 'everyday' (which should be the adverb 'every day' in this context). These are minor and do not affect the clarity of your writing.

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