Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-14

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 6.5)

I firmly subscribe to the view that the working week should be shorter and workers should have a longer weekend. I strongly agree with this idea because it can improve people’s health, increase productivity, and give them more time with their families.

The most persuasive argument in favor of this view is that a shorter working week can help workers reduce stress and tiredness. People who work for many hours often feel exhausted and may not have enough time to relax. With a longer weekend, they can get proper rest and return to work with more energy. As a result, they may be able to concentrate better and complete their tasks more efficiently.

A further point worthy of consideration is that a longer weekend can improve family and social life. Many workers have busy schedules and cannot spend enough time with their children, friends, or relatives. An extra day off would give them more opportunities to enjoy activities together. For example, families could go on a short trip, visit relatives, or simply spend quality time at home.

Some people argue that a shorter working week could reduce a company's income. However, I believe that happier and healthier workers can be more productive. They may make fewer mistakes and work with greater motivation, which can benefit businesses in the long run.

Accordingly, I remain fully convinced that

the working week should be shorter and the weekend should be longer. It can reduce stress, improve family life, and make workers more productive.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

You have clearly addressed the prompt by taking a firm stance in favor of a shorter working week. Your position is consistent throughout the essay. Each paragraph introduces a relevant supporting point—health, productivity, and family life—which are logically developed. To reach a higher band, you could provide more specific, real-world examples or data to support your claims, such as mentioning a country or company that has successfully implemented a four-day work week. This would add depth to your arguments and demonstrate a more sophisticated level of task engagement.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The essay is well-organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. You use cohesive devices effectively, such as 'The most persuasive argument,' 'A further point,' and 'Accordingly,' which help guide the reader through your logic. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct ideas. The progression of ideas is logical, moving from the personal benefits of health to the broader social and economic implications. To improve, ensure that the transition between the counter-argument in the fourth paragraph and your rebuttal is even more seamless to enhance the flow of your argument.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

Your vocabulary is accurate and appropriate for the task. You use clear, functional language that conveys your meaning well. Phrases like 'firmly subscribe to the view' and 'worthy of consideration' demonstrate a good command of formal register. However, the vocabulary is somewhat standard. To achieve a higher band, try to incorporate more precise, less common lexical items or idiomatic collocations. For example, instead of 'reduce stress,' you could use 'alleviate psychological strain,' and instead of 'make fewer mistakes,' you could use 'enhance operational precision.' This would demonstrate a wider and more sophisticated range of vocabulary.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

Your grammar is generally strong, and the majority of your sentences are error-free. You demonstrate a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as 'People who work for many hours often feel exhausted and may not have enough time to relax.' Punctuation is used correctly throughout. To reach a higher band, aim to incorporate a greater variety of complex grammatical structures, such as conditional sentences (e.g., 'Were companies to adopt this model, they might see...') or passive voice constructions to vary the tone. Your current control is solid, but more structural variety would elevate the overall quality.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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