Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-09-04

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 recent years, there has been increasing discussion about whether the working week should be reduced so that employees can enjoy a longer weekend. I strongly agree with this idea, as a shorter working week can improve both employees’ well-being and their productivity.

Firstly, a longer weekend can significantly improve workers’ physical and mental well-being. Working for long hours throughout the week often leaves people with insufficient time to rest, pursue hobbies, or spend quality time with their families. By having an additional day off, employees can recover from work-related stress and return to their jobs feeling more refreshed. For instance, a worker who has three days to relax at the weekend may have more time to exercise, socialise and manage personal responsibilities.

Secondly, reducing working hours does not necessarily mean lower productivity. On the contrary, well-rested employees are often more focused and efficient during their working hours. When people are exhausted, they are more likely to make mistakes and lose concentration. A shorter working week could encourage companies to focus on the quality of work rather than simply the number of hours employees spend at their desks. For example, several organisations that have experimented with four-day working weeks have reported improvements in employee satisfaction and productivity.

Admittedly, some businesses may find it difficult to reduce working hours, particularly those that require continuous customer service. However, this issue could be addressed by introducing flexible schedules or rotating shifts so that essential services continue to operate.

In conclusion, I firmly believe that the working week should be shortened and the weekend extended. This approach can create a healthier work-life balance while potentially making employees more productive and satisfied with their jobs.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses the prompt by taking a clear position in favor of a shorter working week. The arguments regarding employee well-being and productivity are well-developed and supported with logical reasoning and relevant examples, such as the mention of companies experimenting with four-day weeks. The counter-argument is also acknowledged and effectively addressed, showing a balanced approach. The ideas are extended throughout the essay, and the conclusion reinforces the initial stance. The response meets all requirements of the task effectively.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, starting with a clear introduction and ending with a concise conclusion. Cohesive devices such as 'Firstly', 'Secondly', 'On the contrary', and 'Admittedly' are used effectively to guide the reader through the argument. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct points. The flow of information is smooth, and the relationship between ideas is always clear, demonstrating a high level of control over the structure of the essay.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

The vocabulary is precise and appropriate for an academic context. The student uses a good range of topic-specific language, such as 'well-being', 'productivity', 'flexible schedules', and 'work-life balance'. The collocations are natural, and there is an attempt to use varied phrasing rather than repeating the same terms. While the vocabulary is accurate and sufficient, it could be elevated slightly further with more sophisticated or idiomatic expressions to reach the highest band, but it is certainly strong and effective for the current level.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay demonstrates a high level of grammatical control. A variety of complex sentence structures are used, such as conditional clauses ('When people are exhausted, they are...') and relative clauses ('...those that require continuous customer service'). The majority of sentences are error-free, and punctuation is used correctly throughout. There are no significant grammatical errors that impede communication. The control over tense and subject-verb agreement is consistent, reflecting a strong command of English grammar suitable for an academic writing task.

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