Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-09-28

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 working week should be reduced so that employees can have a longer weekend. I agree with this view because shorter working hours can improve people’s work-life balance and may also increase their productivity.

One major reason for supporting a shorter working week is that it would give workers more time to rest and spend with their families. Many employees currently spend a large part of their week at work, leaving them with limited time for personal activities. A longer weekend could allow them to relax, exercise, meet friends and take care of household responsibilities. As a result, they may experience less stress and have a better quality of life. For example, an employee who has three days away from work could use the additional day to spend time with family or simply recover from a busy working week.

Another important advantage is that shorter working hours could improve productivity. When people are tired, they may find it difficult to concentrate and are more likely to make mistakes. In contrast, well-rested employees can often focus better and complete their tasks more efficiently. Therefore, reducing working hours does not necessarily mean that businesses will produce less. For instance, if employees work fewer hours but remain highly focused during those hours, a company may maintain its level of output while also having more satisfied workers.

Admittedly, a shorter working week could create difficulties for some businesses, especially those that need employees to provide services throughout the week. It could also reduce the income of workers who are paid according to the number of hours they work. However, companies could address these problems by introducing flexible schedules or different shifts.

In conclusion, I agree that the working week should be shorter and the weekend should be longer. This change could improve employees’ well-being and work-life balance while also helping them become more productive at work.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

The student fully addresses all parts of the prompt by taking a clear and well-supported position agreeing with the statement that the working week should be shorter. The response presents two distinct main ideas: the enhancement of work-life balance and the potential increase in productivity. These ideas are extended appropriately with logical explanations, such as the example of employees spending an extra day with family or recovering from fatigue. Furthermore, the counterargument is acknowledged and addressed in the fourth paragraph, which rounds out a balanced discussion. The position is maintained consistently from the introduction to the conclusion, meeting all requirements for Band 7.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0

The essay displays a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Each paragraph has a distinct central topic, starting with a clear thesis statement in the introduction, moving to well-structured body paragraphs, and concluding effectively. Cohesive devices such as 'One major reason', 'Another important advantage', 'As a result', and 'In contrast' are used effectively to guide the reader through the argument. Paragraphing is managed logically and appropriately. The only reason it falls short of Band 8 is that referencing and cohesive links are sometimes standard rather than entirely seamless, but overall the flow is clear and natural.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.5

The student demonstrates a sufficient range of vocabulary with good flexibility and precision, such as 'work-life balance', 'productivity', 'well-rested employees', and 'flexible schedules'. There is an awareness of collocation and style, using less common lexical items accurately (e.g., 'concentrate', 'efficiently', 'maintain its level of output'). While there are no major lexical errors, the vocabulary is generally standard and straightforward rather than showing the sophisticated, wide-ranging control required for a Band 8 or 9. Spelling and word choice are accurate throughout.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 7.0

The essay exhibits a good variety of complex sentence structures, such as conditional structures and relative clauses ('an employee who has three days away from work could use...', 'When people are tired, they may find it difficult...'). There are frequent error-free sentences, and the overall control of grammar and punctuation is strong. Minor slips are virtually absent, and the grammatical structures used support the clear communication of ideas. The control displayed meets the criteria for Band 7 and borders on Band 8, showing good mastery over complex forms.

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

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