Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-09-23

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, people work for long hours during the week and have only a short weekend. Some people believe that the working week should be reduced so that employees can have a longer weekend. I agree with this view because a shorter working week can improve workers’ well-being and may also increase their productivity.

Firstly, having a longer weekend can help employees reduce stress and maintain a better work-life balance. Many workers spend most of their weekdays at work and have little time for their families, friends, or personal activities. If they had an additional day off, they could spend more time with their loved ones, exercise, travel, or simply rest. As a result, they could return to work feeling more relaxed and mentally prepared.

Secondly, a shorter working week could improve productivity. Working for a very long time does not necessarily mean that employees will produce better results. When people are tired, they may lose concentration and make more mistakes. In contrast, well-rested workers are more likely to be focused and motivated during working hours. For example, if a company reduced its working week from five days to four while maintaining efficient working hours, employees might complete their tasks more effectively because they would have more time to recover.

However, some businesses may be concerned that reducing working hours could increase their costs or reduce the amount of work completed. This could be a particular issue for industries that require employees to be available every day. Nevertheless, companies could address this problem by using flexible schedules or different shifts.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.0

The response fully addresses all parts of the task by clearly stating a position in the introduction ("I agree with this view") and supporting it with well-developed arguments throughout the body paragraphs. The writer discusses both the psychological and physical benefits of a shorter working week, such as reducing stress and maintaining a better work-life balance, as well as the potential impact on productivity. Furthermore, the counter-argument is thoughtfully addressed in the fourth paragraph, showing a balanced understanding of business concerns. Ideas are extended with relevant explanations, such as how well-rested workers avoid mistakes and stay focused. The prompt is comprehensively addressed without any irrelevant tangents or major omissions, fully meeting the criteria for a high band score in this category.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The essay displays clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Each paragraph has a distinct focus, beginning with a clear introduction that outlines the writer's stance, followed by body paragraphs structured around clear topic sentences ("Firstly,", "Secondly,", "However,"). Cohesive devices such as referencing words and transition markers ("In contrast,", "For example,", "Nevertheless,") are used appropriately and naturally to guide the reader through the argument. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and effectively to separate the distinct ideas, counter-arguments, and transitions. The logical flow never feels forced, and overall cohesion is well managed, contributing to an easy-to-read and coherent piece of writing that meets the standards of a strong band score.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.5

The student demonstrates a sufficient range of vocabulary to allow for flexibility and precision. Phrases such as "well-being," "work-life balance," "mentally prepared," and "flexible schedules" show a good command of topic-specific collocation. The writer also successfully attempts less common lexical items like "unproductiveness" equivalents and phrases such as "maintain efficient working hours" and "competing priorities." While the vocabulary is generally natural and appropriate, there are occasional instances where more sophisticated or less common synonyms could elevate the register further. However, word choice and spelling are accurate throughout, and communication is never impeded, placing the response comfortably within the competent band range.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.5

The response features a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures, demonstrating control over grammatical forms. The student successfully uses conditional structures ("If they had an additional day off...", "if a company reduced its working week...") and subordinate clauses to connect ideas logically. Punctuation is accurate, and the majority of sentences are grammatically sound. While there are a few minor structural limitations—such as relying on standard subject-verb-object patterns in simpler sentences—the complex structures attempted are mostly error-free and do not impede communication. The control of grammar is solid throughout, warranting a respectable score for range and accuracy.

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

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