Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-29

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 5.5)

There has been an ongoing debate about a long weekend and shortening the working days.

The working days can be very tiring sometimes and having just two days off to relax are not enough. On the other hand, long weekend means one becomes lazy and is not willing to work in the further coming days. However, the essay will discuss both the incentives whether a weekend should be long or not with less working days.

Initially, talking in favor of a long weekend, some occupations can be very exhausting. Some people work 9-5, some as corporate workers, others have to go to different shifts in a single day. The complex schedule physically drains them. Adding further, some might not get enough sleep to wake up fresh the very next day. This may have a negative impact on their health with the fact that they can't focus on their work properly which leads to delaying of their given tasks leading to increased mental pressure. Some people after their tiring jobs feel so lethargic that they don't have enough time to sit and enjoy with their family. Parents can not spend enough time with their children making the relationship shallow. However, long weekends may be beneficial in this situation so that people can enjoy enough time with families, focus on oneself leading to good health.

On the contrary, long weekends will make workers lazy. This will further lower their morale and doing any work for a very short time will feel overwhelming to them. Of-course, people will get used to spending most of their time in leisure doing nothing. They will be sitting idle. So shorter weekdays and longer weekends in some terms will have a negative impact.

Its is therefore necessary that a balance is maintained between the working days and the weekend so that workers dont feel worn out and as well as slothful.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response addresses the prompt by discussing both sides of the argument. However, the position is not clearly defined throughout the essay. While the introduction mentions discussing both sides, it fails to state a clear personal opinion or stance, which is a requirement for a high band score. The ideas are relevant, but the development is somewhat superficial. For instance, the argument about workers becoming 'lazy' is asserted rather than logically explored or supported with evidence. To improve, ensure you state your position clearly in the introduction and maintain that stance throughout, providing more depth to your supporting arguments.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, and there is a clear progression of ideas. Cohesive devices are used, such as 'Initially', 'On the contrary', and 'However', which help guide the reader. However, some transitions feel a bit mechanical, and the referencing is occasionally slightly awkward, such as in the phrase 'the essay will discuss both the incentives whether a weekend should be long or not'. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different viewpoints. To reach a higher band, focus on using a wider variety of cohesive devices more naturally to improve the flow between sentences.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is adequate for the task, allowing the writer to express ideas clearly. There are some attempts at less common vocabulary, such as 'lethargic', 'slothful', and 'morale'. However, there are also some inaccuracies in word choice and collocation, such as 'incentives whether a weekend should be long' and 'the further coming days'. Spelling is generally accurate, but the range of vocabulary is somewhat limited. To improve, focus on using more precise collocations and academic vocabulary that fits the context of professional work-life balance more naturally.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is generally clear, there are several grammatical errors, such as 'having just two days off to relax are not enough' (subject-verb agreement) and 'Its is therefore necessary' (typo). There are also minor punctuation and phrasing issues throughout. The control of grammar is sufficient to communicate, but the frequency of errors prevents a higher score. To improve, pay closer attention to subject-verb agreement and proofread for minor slips in articles and verb forms.

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.