Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-09-11
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 strongly agree with this view because a shorter working week can improve employees’ well-being and may also increase their productivity.
One of the main reasons I support a shorter working week is that it can help workers maintain a better work-life balance. Many employees spend most of their weekdays working, leaving them with limited time for their families, personal interests and household responsibilities. An additional day off would give them more time to rest and recover from work-related stress. For example, an employee who normally works five days a week could use a three-day weekend to spend time with family, exercise or simply relax. As a result, they may return to work feeling more refreshed and motivated.
Another important benefit is that reducing working hours could actually improve productivity. Working for long periods does not necessarily mean that employees accomplish more, as tired workers are more likely to lose concentration and make mistakes. In contrast, well-rested employees may be able to complete their tasks more efficiently during their working hours. For instance, a company could introduce a four-day working week while keeping employees' workloads unchanged. If workers become more focused and efficient, the company could maintain its output while also improving employee satisfaction.
In conclusion, I strongly believe that the working week should be shortened and weekends should be extended. This would not only give employees more time to rest and enjoy their personal lives but could also help businesses benefit from a more focused and productive workforce.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.5 |
| Overall | 7.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5
The response fully addresses the prompt by taking a clear position and supporting it with two well-developed arguments: work-life balance and productivity. The ideas are relevant and logically extended, such as the explanation of how tired workers lose concentration. The response is balanced and covers all parts of the task effectively. To reach a higher band, the student could incorporate more specific real-world examples or counter-arguments to add further depth to the discussion.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5
The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, two distinct body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Cohesive devices are used effectively, such as 'One of the main reasons', 'In contrast', and 'As a result', which help guide the reader through the argument. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct ideas. The flow of information is smooth and natural, demonstrating a high level of control over the structure of the essay.
Lexical Resource — Band 6.5
The vocabulary is accurate and appropriate for the academic context. The student uses a good range of topic-specific terms such as 'well-being', 'work-life balance', 'work-related stress', and 'workforce'. While the vocabulary is sufficient and precise, it lacks a few more sophisticated or idiomatic expressions that would elevate it to the highest band. However, there are no errors in word choice or collocation that impede communication.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5
The essay demonstrates a good variety of complex sentence structures, such as conditional clauses ('If workers become more focused...') and participial phrases ('leaving them with limited time...'). The grammar is highly accurate, with the majority of sentences being error-free. Punctuation is used correctly throughout. The control over complex structures is consistent, and there are no significant grammatical errors that distract the reader.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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