Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-20

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 7.5)

In many countries, employees spend a large proportion of their lives at work. It is therefore argued that the working week should be shortened so that workers can enjoy a longer weekend. I strongly agree with this view because it could improve both employees’ well-being and their productivity.

One major benefit of a shorter working week is a better work-life balance. Working long hours for several consecutive days can lead to stress, exhaustion and burnout. An additional day off would give employees more time to rest, exercise, pursue hobbies and spend time with their families. Consequently, they could return to work feeling refreshed and more motivated, which may also increase overall job satisfaction.

Furthermore, fewer working days do not necessarily result in lower productivity. Well-rested employees are often able to concentrate more effectively and complete their responsibilities efficiently. For example, companies could introduce a four-day working week while maintaining the same performance targets. Knowing that they have less time available may encourage workers to organise their schedules carefully, reduce unnecessary meetings and avoid distractions.

Admittedly, a shorter week may be difficult to implement in certain industries. Hospitals, restaurants and emergency services, for instance, must operate continuously. Nevertheless, employers could introduce rotating shifts to ensure that essential services remain available while individual employees still receive sufficient time off.

In conclusion, I believe that shortening the working week would improve employees’ quality of life and could increase productivity. Although it may require different arrangements across industries, the benefits would outweigh the difficulties.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You have taken a clear position from the introduction and maintained it throughout the essay. Each paragraph is well-developed with relevant supporting arguments, such as the link between rest and productivity, and the practical consideration of shift work in essential industries. The ideas are extended logically, and the conclusion effectively synthesizes your main points. The response is balanced, acknowledging potential difficulties while successfully arguing that the benefits outweigh them. This meets the criteria for a high band score as the task is addressed comprehensively and the position is consistently supported.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central topic sentence, and the transition between paragraphs is smooth, using cohesive devices such as 'Furthermore', 'Consequently', and 'Nevertheless' effectively. The use of referencing is precise, and the paragraphing is logical and appropriate. There is a natural flow to the argument, and the cohesive devices are used with flexibility rather than in a mechanical way. The structure is clear, making the essay very easy to follow for the reader.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with precision. Phrases like 'consecutive days', 'performance targets', and 'operate continuously' show a good command of topic-specific language. You use less common items appropriately, such as 'burnout' and 'implement'. While the vocabulary is accurate and natural, it could be slightly more sophisticated to reach the highest band. However, the current range is more than adequate for the task, and there are no errors in word choice or collocation that impede communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay exhibits a wide range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences with subordinate clauses (e.g., 'Knowing that they have less time available may encourage workers...'). The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation is excellent. You use modal verbs ('could', 'may') appropriately to express possibility and nuance. There are no significant grammatical errors, and the writing is fluent and accurate throughout. The variety of structures used contributes to the overall clarity and professional tone of the essay.

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

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