Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-09-05

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)

The working week has become increasingly demanding in modern society, with many employees spending a considerable amount of time at work. Some people believe that the working week should be shortened and workers should instead be given a longer weekend. I agree with this view because a shorter working week can improve employees' productivity and contribute to a better work-life balance.

One major benefit of reducing working hours is that it can improve productivity. When employees work for long periods without sufficient rest, they are more likely to experience fatigue and lose concentration, which can increase the number of errors they make. In contrast, having additional time to rest can allow workers to return to their jobs with greater energy and focus. This could ultimately enable them to complete their tasks more efficiently rather than simply spending more hours at their workplace. A shorter working week may therefore benefit employers as well as employees.

Another important advantage is the improvement in work-life balance. People have responsibilities and interests outside their jobs, such as spending time with family, exercising, pursuing hobbies, or simply relaxing. A longer weekend would provide them with more opportunities to engage in these activities. This could reduce stress and improve their overall well-being. For example, employees who have enough time to exercise regularly or spend time with their families may be less likely to experience the physical and mental exhaustion associated with demanding jobs.

However, reducing the working week could create difficulties for certain businesses. Companies that depend on continuous customer service or physical labour may need to employ additional workers to maintain the same level of service. This could increase their operating costs and, in some cases, result in higher prices for consumers. Nevertheless, these disadvantages could be reduced through flexible working arrangements or by reorganising employees' schedules.

In conclusion, I believe that the working week should be shorter because the additional time for rest and personal activities can improve both employee well-being and productivity. Although this change may create some difficulties for businesses, the long-term benefits of a healthier and more productive workforce are likely to outweigh these drawbacks.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

You have fully addressed all parts of the prompt. Your position is clear from the introduction and is maintained consistently throughout the essay. Each body paragraph presents a well-developed argument, supported by logical reasoning and relevant examples, such as the mention of physical and mental exhaustion. You also demonstrate a balanced approach by acknowledging the potential difficulties for businesses, which adds depth to your argument. The ideas are extended and supported effectively, meeting the criteria for a high band score.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

Your essay is logically organised with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central topic, and the transition between paragraphs is smooth, using effective linking phrases such as 'One major benefit', 'Another important advantage', and 'However'. Cohesive devices are used naturally and accurately throughout the text. The paragraphing is logical and contributes to the overall clarity of your argument. There is no evidence of mechanical or repetitive usage, and the structure supports the reader's understanding perfectly.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with precision. You use some less common items such as 'fatigue', 'exhaustion', and 'reorganising', which are appropriate for the context. While the vocabulary is accurate and natural, it is generally functional rather than highly sophisticated or idiomatic. To reach a higher band, you could incorporate more nuanced collocations or academic synonyms to elevate the tone further. Nevertheless, your word choice is consistently accurate and never impedes communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

You display a good command of grammatical structures, using a mix of simple and complex sentences effectively. For instance, your use of conditional structures ('If employees work...') and relative clauses ('...associated with demanding jobs') is accurate. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your punctuation is handled correctly. While your grammar is solid and reliable, there is a lack of highly complex or varied sentence structures that would push the score into the 8.0 or 9.0 range. However, the control is consistent and clear.

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

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