Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-22

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)

In today's world, employment plays a crucial role in ensuring financial stability. Some people believe that the working week should be shortened, giving employees a longer weekend. I disagree with this view, and this essay will explain my position with relevant examples.

To begin with, the main reason the working week should not be shortened is that excessive free time may cause employees to lose motivation and become less disciplined. A weekend gives individuals the chance to rest and manage their fatigue, which is valuable in moderation. However, too much rest can encourage laziness, meaning people may struggle to refocus on their responsibilities once they return to work. For example, someone working on a project for a week may find it difficult to resume collecting data and meeting deadlines after an extended break, simply because they have lost momentum. As a result, companies may take disciplinary action against underperforming employees, and in serious cases, individuals could even risk losing their jobs.

Furthermore, a shorter working week could have a negative impact on the national economy. If employees have less time to complete their tasks, overall productivity is likely to decrease, which can negatively affect a country's economic growth. In addition, companies may need to hire additional staff to maintain current output levels, which would increase labour costs. This could ultimately reduce business efficiency and limit long-term economic growth.

To recapitulate, I disagree with the idea that the working week should be shortened, as it may negatively affect people's work habits as well as broader economic growth. However, I believe employees should still be encouraged to manage their time responsibly and fulfil their professional responsibilities, regardless of how their working week is structured.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, maintaining a clear position throughout. The arguments regarding employee motivation and economic impact are relevant and logically developed. The essay is well-structured, with each paragraph focusing on a distinct point. To reach a higher band, the student could provide more specific, real-world examples or evidence beyond general statements. For instance, mentioning a specific country or industry that has experimented with a four-day work week would strengthen the support for the arguments. Overall, the ideas are well-supported and the position is consistently maintained.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay demonstrates a clear logical progression. Each paragraph has a central topic sentence, and ideas are linked effectively using cohesive devices such as 'To begin with', 'However', 'Furthermore', and 'To recapitulate'. The use of referencing is clear, and the paragraphing is appropriate for the task. The flow of ideas is smooth, and the reader is guided through the argument without difficulty. The transition between the two main body paragraphs is logical, moving from individual performance to broader economic consequences, which shows a good grasp of organizational structure.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The vocabulary is sufficient and appropriate for the task. The student uses a range of topic-specific terms such as 'financial stability', 'disciplinary action', 'underperforming', and 'economic growth'. The word choice is generally precise, and there are no significant errors that impede communication. While the vocabulary is functional and accurate, it lacks some of the more sophisticated or idiomatic expressions that would characterize a higher band. However, the current range is more than adequate to convey the intended meaning clearly and effectively.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay displays a good variety of complex sentence structures, such as conditional sentences ('If employees have less time...') and participial phrases. The majority of sentences are error-free, and the punctuation is used correctly throughout. There is a high level of control over grammatical forms, and the few minor slips do not detract from the clarity of the writing. The student demonstrates a solid command of grammar, which allows for the complex ideas to be expressed with precision and ease.

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

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