Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-09-18

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)

It is often argued that the standard working week should be shortened so that employees can enjoy a longer weekend. In my opinion, working hours should be reduced because this could improve productivity and employees’ overall quality of life. However, this proposal could also have some drawbacks.

Working hours should be decreased because the current trends of flexible working hours and working from home have demonstrated that employees can remain productive without spending as much time in the workplace. The work environment should be designed around tasks rather than the amount of time spent at work. Moreover, the fast-paced lifestyle nowadays has increased stress and anxiety, which can negatively affect employees’ productivity and well-being. Longer weekends would allow employees to rest and decompress before returning to work, potentially increasing their productivity. They could also help address one of the most common problems faced by employees: maintaining a healthy work-life balance. This, in turn, could strengthen family relationships and improve quality of life in general.

However, this proposal also has some drawbacks. One major concern is that keeping businesses and international markets closed for longer could adversely affect the economy, particularly in developing countries. Longer weekends could also reduce the income of individuals who are paid on a daily basis. In addition, productivity could decrease in some industries. For instance, in a clothing manufacturing unit, production may depend heavily on the number of hours employees work and the number of days the facility remains operational. Similarly, keeping government offices closed for longer periods could reduce their efficiency and lead to delays in the delivery of public services.

In conclusion, although a shorter working week could negatively affect productivity in some sectors, I believe that its benefits outweigh its drawbacks. Longer weekends could allow people to spend more time with their families, rest, and pursue personal interests, which could contribute to better mental well-being. Therefore, employees should have access to longer weekends.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The candidate fully addresses all parts of the task by clearly stating a position in the introduction and maintaining it throughout the essay. The response considers both sides of the argument, discussing the benefits of a shorter working week such as improved productivity, work-life balance, and mental well-being, while also acknowledging potential drawbacks like economic impact and industry-specific limitations. Ideas are well-developed and supported with relevant examples, such as reference to clothing manufacturing units and government offices. The arguments flow logically to a well-supported conclusion that balances the competing perspectives while affirming the writer's stance. This performance easily satisfies the Band 7 requirements for Task Achievement.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The essay displays a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Each paragraph has a distinct central topic, moving smoothly from the introduction and thesis statement to the supporting arguments for the proposal, the counter-arguments, and finally the conclusion. Cohesive devices are used effectively and flexibly without becoming overly mechanical, as seen with transition markers like 'Moreover', 'However', and 'In addition'. Paragraphing is managed logically and appropriately. Referencing throughout the text is clear, ensuring the reader can easily follow the line of argument from one point to the next, aligning comfortably with Band 7 descriptors.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

The student demonstrates an adequate and generally appropriate range of vocabulary suitable for an academic task. Less common lexical items are attempted with some awareness of style and collocation, such as 'quality of life', 'work-life balance', 'fast-paced lifestyle', and 'decompress'. Word choices are precise enough to convey the intended meaning without confusion. While the vocabulary is not expansive enough to push into the highest bands, it easily satisfies the criteria for Band 6.5 or 7.0 by providing sufficient flexibility and precision to discuss complex socio-economic ideas.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The writer exhibits good control of grammar and punctuation, utilising a variety of complex sentence structures successfully. Examples of complex constructions include concessive clauses ('although a shorter working week could negatively affect...') and conditional or participial links ('which can negatively affect employees’ productivity'). The majority of sentences are error-free, and any minor errors are non-systematic and do not impede communication at all. Punctuation is accurate throughout, assisting the readability of the text. This demonstrates solid grammatical control commensurate with a Band 7 score.

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