Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-07

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)

The length of the working week has become an increasingly important issue in modern workplaces, as employees are expected to balance their professional and personal responsibilities. Although some people argue that a shorter working week could reduce productivity, I strongly agree that workers should have more time off at the weekend. This essay will explain why I believe this would benefit both employees and employers.

One significant reason why I support this view is that a shorter working week can improve people's work-life balance. This is mainly because employees would have more time to spend with their families, pursue personal interests and take care of household responsibilities. Furthermore, having sufficient time away from work can help people recover mentally and physically from workplace pressure. For example, an employee who has a three-day weekend could use the additional day to exercise, travel or spend quality time with family. As a result, workers are likely to return to their jobs feeling more refreshed and motivated.

Another important reason is that reducing working hours could actually improve productivity. The primary reason is that employees who are well-rested are more likely to concentrate on their tasks and work efficiently. In addition, a shorter working week could reduce stress and prevent burnout, which can negatively affect performance. For instance, companies that introduce flexible working schedules may find that employees complete their responsibilities more efficiently because they are less exhausted. Consequently, both workers and employers can benefit from a healthier and more productive working environment.

In conclusion, I strongly agree that the working week should be shorter and workers should have a longer weekend. This is because it not only improves employees' work-life balance but also has the potential to increase productivity and reduce workplace stress.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You have taken a clear position from the introduction and maintained it throughout the essay. The ideas are well-developed, with each body paragraph focusing on a distinct argument—work-life balance and productivity—supported by relevant explanations and examples. The conclusion effectively summarises your main points without introducing new information. To reach a band 9, you could aim for even greater depth in your examples, perhaps by referencing a specific industry or a real-world study, which would further strengthen the persuasive nature of your argument.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The essay is logically organised with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between paragraphs is smooth. You make effective use of cohesive devices such as 'Furthermore', 'For example', and 'Consequently' to link your thoughts. The paragraphing is appropriate and contributes to the overall clarity of the argument. The flow is natural, and the relationship between ideas is always transparent. The structure is highly effective, meeting the requirements for a high band score.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for an academic essay. Phrases such as 'professional and personal responsibilities', 'work-life balance', and 'prevent burnout' are used accurately and naturally. The vocabulary is sufficient to convey your ideas with precision. To improve further, you could incorporate more sophisticated collocations or less common lexical items to demonstrate a wider range. For instance, instead of 'important issue', you might use 'pressing concern' or 'contentious debate'. Overall, your word choice is precise and contributes to a professional tone.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The essay displays a good variety of complex sentence structures, such as the use of 'Although' clauses and conditional-like structures ('if... then' implied). The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation is excellent. There are no significant grammatical errors that impede communication. To achieve a higher band, ensure you continue to vary your sentence length and complexity even further, perhaps by using more passive constructions or inversion where appropriate, though your current control is already very strong and reliable.

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