Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-28

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 8.0)

In recent years, there has been increasing discussion about whether the traditional working week should be shortened to provide employees with a longer weekend. I strongly agree with this idea because a shorter working week can improve workers' well-being and increase their productivity.

Firstly, having a longer weekend would allow employees to spend more time resting and recovering from the pressures of work. Many people experience stress and fatigue because they work long hours and have limited time for themselves and their families. An additional day off would give workers an opportunity to relax, pursue hobbies, exercise, and spend quality time with their loved ones. As a result, they would be more physically and mentally refreshed when returning to work. For example, employees who have sufficient time to rest are less likely to suffer from burnout and work-related stress.

Secondly, a shorter working week could actually improve productivity. Working for long periods does not necessarily mean that employees produce better results. When people are tired, their concentration and efficiency often decrease. In contrast, workers who have enough time to rest may be more motivated and focused during their working hours. Some companies that have introduced a four-day working week have found that employees can complete the same amount of work by managing their time more effectively.

However, it is important that reducing the number of working days does not negatively affect essential services or business operations. Industries such as healthcare and transportation may need employees to work on different schedules to ensure that services remain available.

In conclusion, I strongly agree that the working week should be shorter and the weekend should be longer. This change could improve employees' health and happiness while also increasing their motivation and productivity at work.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

You have fully addressed the prompt by clearly stating your position in the introduction and maintaining it throughout the essay. Each paragraph is well-developed with relevant supporting arguments, such as the link between rest and burnout, and the relationship between efficiency and working hours. You also demonstrated a balanced view by acknowledging potential challenges in specific industries like healthcare, which adds depth to your response. The ideas are extended logically, meeting the requirements for a high band score by providing a clear, well-supported argument.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, introduced by effective transition signals such as 'Firstly', 'Secondly', 'In contrast', and 'However'. The use of cohesive devices is natural and unobtrusive, which helps the reader follow your argument easily. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. The flow of information is smooth, and referencing is clear throughout the text, demonstrating a high level of control over the structure of your writing.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary that is appropriate for an academic task. Phrases like 'well-being', 'burnout', 'essential services', and 'business operations' are used accurately and in the correct context. While the vocabulary is sufficient and precise, there is room to incorporate more sophisticated or less common lexical items to reach the highest band. The word choice is consistently accurate, and there are no spelling or collocation errors that impede communication or distract the reader.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

Your grammar is strong, with a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. You use conditional structures and relative clauses effectively, such as 'employees who have sufficient time to rest are less likely to suffer...' and 'Some companies that have introduced a four-day working week have found...'. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your punctuation is accurate. There are no significant grammatical slips that interfere with the clarity of your message, showing a high level of control over your writing.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.