Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-09-10

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)

It is often argued that employees should work fewer days and have a longer weekend. I completely agree with this view because reducing working hours can improve employees’ well-being and increase their productivity.

One major reason to support a shorter working week is that it can improve workers’ physical and mental well-being. Long working hours can make employees tired and stressed, while an extra day off gives them more time to rest and spend with their families. This can also help them maintain a better balance between their professional and personal lives. For example, workers with a three-day weekend may return to work feeling more refreshed and motivated. They can also use their additional free time to exercise, pursue hobbies, or take care of personal responsibilities, which can reduce stress and improve their overall quality of life.

Another important benefit of a shorter working week is that it can increase employees’ productivity. When workers have enough time to rest, they are more likely to feel focused and motivated during working hours. They may also experience less stress and exhaustion, allowing them to concentrate better on their responsibilities. For instance, employees who receive an additional day off may return to work with more energy and complete their tasks more efficiently. As a result, companies may benefit from having healthier and more productive employees. Furthermore, satisfied employees may be more willing to remain with a company for a longer period, which can reduce staff turnover and recruitment costs.

In conclusion, I strongly agree that the working week should be shorter and employees should have a longer weekend. This would allow workers to maintain better physical and mental well-being while also helping them become more focused, motivated, and productive at work.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses the prompt by clearly stating a position in the introduction and maintaining it throughout the essay. Each paragraph provides relevant, well-developed arguments regarding physical/mental well-being and productivity. The ideas are extended with logical explanations and examples, such as the mention of staff turnover and recruitment costs. The response is balanced and covers all parts of the task effectively, meeting the requirements for a Band 8.0.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between paragraphs is smooth. Cohesive devices such as 'One major reason', 'Another important benefit', and 'Furthermore' are used effectively to guide the reader. Paragraphing is used appropriately, and the relationship between ideas is clear throughout the text. The structure is coherent and flows well, justifying a Band 8.0.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The vocabulary is sufficient and appropriate for the task. The student uses a range of topic-specific terms such as 'professional and personal lives', 'staff turnover', and 'recruitment costs'. While the vocabulary is accurate and conveys meaning clearly, it lacks the 'less common' or 'sophisticated' lexical items that would distinguish a Band 8 or 9. The word choice is natural and precise enough to support a solid Band 7.0.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The student demonstrates a good command of grammatical structures, using a mix of simple and complex sentences. There are very few errors, and the punctuation is accurate. The use of conditional structures ('When workers have enough time... they are more likely to...') and modal verbs ('may return', 'should be') is handled well. The majority of sentences are error-free, and the control over complex structures is consistent, warranting a Band 8.0.

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

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