Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-09-09

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 6.5)

In many countries, employees should have to work longer weeks and have limited time for their personal lives. Some people believe that the working week should be shortened so that workers have a more free time. I agree with this view because shorter working hours can improve people's well-being and increase their productivity.

Firstly, a shorter working hour can have a positive effect on employee's physical and mental health. Working continuously for a long hours can cause stress, tiredness and burnout. In contrast, having more free time allows them to rest properly, exercise, spend time with their families and pursue personal interest. For example, a worker who has an additional day off each week could use it to exercise, complete household responsibilities or simply recover from a demanding week. Consequently, workers may feel healthier and more satisfied with their lives.

Secondly, reducing working hours can also increase productivity. When employees know that they have a limited time to complete their tasks, they may become more focused and utilise their time effectively without wasting it in other activities. Moreover, well-rested workers are likely to have greater concentration and motivation. For instance, a company introducing a four-day working week could find that its employees complete a similar amount of work in a specific time because they are more focused and motivated. Although, some organisations may need flexible schedules to provide continuous services to customers, this problem should be addressed by using shifts and additional staff.

In conclusion, I agree that the working week should be shorter because it can improve employees health , provide a better work-life balance and increase productivity. Therefore giving more free time would be beneficial for both employees and employers.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, maintaining a clear position throughout. The arguments regarding health and productivity are relevant and well-supported with logical explanations and examples, such as the mention of a four-day working week. The ideas are extended sufficiently to meet the requirements of the task. The introduction clearly states the writer's agreement, and the conclusion effectively summarizes the main points. To reach a higher band, the writer could further develop the counter-argument regarding business needs to provide a more nuanced perspective, but the current level of development is solid and meets the criteria for a band 7.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the use of cohesive devices such as 'Firstly', 'Secondly', 'In contrast', and 'Consequently' helps to guide the reader through the argument. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct points. While the flow is generally smooth, some transitions could be more sophisticated to avoid a slightly mechanical feel. Overall, the structure is clear and the logical flow is consistent throughout the response.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The vocabulary used is sufficient for the task and allows for some flexibility. The writer uses relevant terms such as 'burnout', 'demanding', 'utilise', and 'flexible schedules'. There are some minor inaccuracies, such as 'a more free time' (should be 'more free time') and 'employees health' (missing possessive apostrophe). While the range is adequate, the essay would benefit from a wider variety of less common collocations and more precise academic vocabulary to move into the higher bands. However, the meaning is always clear and the vocabulary is appropriate for the context.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The essay demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There is good control over basic grammar, and complex structures are attempted, such as the conditional 'When employees know that they have a limited time...'. However, there are some persistent errors, such as 'a shorter working hour' (should be plural) and 'a more free time'. Additionally, there is a minor punctuation error in 'Although, some organisations...' where the comma is unnecessary. Despite these errors, the grammar does not impede communication, and the writer shows a good grasp of sentence variety.

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