Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · 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 6.0)

Some people believe that the working week should be shorter and employees should have a longer weekend. I agree with this view because a shorter working week can improve workers' health, productivity and work-life balance.

Firstly, having a longer weekend can help employees reduce stress and get enough rest. Many people spend most of their time working and have little opportunity to relax or spend time with their families. If they have an extra day off, they can enjoy their hobbies, exercise, travel or simply rest at home. As a result, they may feel happier and healthier. For example, an employee who gets enough rest is likely to return to work feeling fresh and motivated.

Secondly, a shorter working week could actually increase productivity. Although employees would spend fewer hours at work, they might concentrate better during their working hours. Tired workers often make mistakes and have difficulty focusing on their tasks. In contrast, well-rested employees can work more efficiently and complete their responsibilities in less time. This could also benefit companies because motivated workers are generally more productive.

In conclusion, I strongly agree that the working week should be shorter and workers should have a longer weekend. In my opinion, the benefits of better health, reduced stress and increased productivity outweigh the possible disadvantages for businesses.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response addresses the prompt clearly and maintains a consistent position throughout. However, the essay is significantly under the 250-word minimum requirement, which limits the depth of the arguments. While the ideas regarding health and productivity are relevant and logically presented, they lack the necessary extension and detailed supporting evidence required for a higher band. Because the response is only 217 words, it fails to fully develop the points, resulting in a somewhat superficial treatment of the topic. To improve, you must expand on your arguments with more specific examples or deeper analysis to meet the length requirement and demonstrate a more comprehensive exploration of the subject matter.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is well-organized with a clear introduction, two body paragraphs, and a conclusion. The progression of ideas is logical, moving from the benefits of rest to the impact on productivity. You use basic cohesive devices such as 'Firstly', 'Secondly', 'In contrast', and 'In conclusion' effectively to guide the reader. However, the range of cohesive devices is somewhat limited, and the transitions between sentences are occasionally repetitive. To reach a higher band, try to incorporate a wider variety of linking words and ensure that the flow between sentences is more sophisticated and less reliant on simple sequence markers.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary used is adequate for the task and allows for clear communication. You demonstrate a good grasp of topic-specific terms such as 'work-life balance', 'productivity', and 'responsibilities'. However, the range of vocabulary is somewhat narrow, and there is a lack of less common or more sophisticated lexical items that would demonstrate a higher level of proficiency. The language is functional but lacks the precision and stylistic flair expected at higher bands. To improve, focus on integrating more precise collocations and academic synonyms to enhance the overall quality of your writing.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

Your grammar is generally accurate, and you demonstrate a good control of simple and complex sentence structures. Most of your sentences are error-free, which makes the text easy to follow. You use conditional structures effectively, such as 'If they have an extra day off, they can enjoy their hobbies'. While there are no major errors that impede communication, the range of complex structures is somewhat limited. To achieve a higher score, try to incorporate a greater variety of advanced grammatical forms, such as passive voice, relative clauses, or inverted structures, while maintaining your current level of accuracy.

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

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