Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-10-01

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 8.0)

The traditional five-day, 40-hour workweek is a relic of the industrial era, designed for a manufacturing economy that no longer dominates. I strongly agree that the working week should be shorter and the weekend longer, as this shift would benefit workers, businesses, and society as a whole.

First, a shorter week significantly improves employee well-being. Overwork is linked to burnout, stress, and declining mental health. A three-day weekend offers workers crucial time to rest, pursue personal interests, and spend time with family. This recovery period can actually boost productivity during working hours, as rested employees are more focused and efficient. Trials in countries like Iceland and the UK have shown that reduced hours often maintain or even increase output.

Second, a longer weekend benefits employers. Lower stress levels reduce absenteeism and staff turnover, saving companies money. Happier, healthier employees are also more creative and engaged. Furthermore, offering flexible schedules gives businesses a competitive edge in attracting top talent.

Finally, a shorter workweek strengthens communities and the economy. With more leisure time, people are likely to spend more on recreation, dining, and travel, supporting local businesses. They can also volunteer or pursue education, enriching society.

Critics argue that certain industries, like healthcare, cannot simply close. However, this challenge can be addressed through staggered shifts and hiring more staff, which also creates jobs. In conclusion, moving toward a four-day workweek is a progressive step that promises a healthier, more productive, and more fulfilling future for everyone.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.5

The response addresses all parts of the task well, maintaining a clear and well-supported position throughout in agreement with the prompt. Ideas are extended and supported logically, with good use of examples such as trials in Iceland and the UK to justify the arguments concerning employee well-being and productivity. Counter-arguments are also appropriately addressed and refuted in the final body paragraph. However, it must be noted that the response falls slightly short of the minimum word count requirement, containing 244 words instead of the required 250, which prevents it from achieving a higher rating for task fulfillment. To reach the top bands, the student should ensure that explanations are expanded further to meet the length criteria comfortably and add even more depth to the counter-argument discussion.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 8.0

The essay demonstrates a very clear logical organisation and progression from the introduction through the well-defined body paragraphs to the conclusion. Ideas are logically sequenced, and each paragraph has a clear central topic. Cohesive devices are used skilfully and naturally without feeling mechanical, as seen in clear signposting phrases like "First", "Second", and "Finally". Paragraphing is managed effectively, with each distinct argument and counter-argument housed in its own appropriate paragraph. Referencing throughout the text is clear and precise. To push even further into the highest band, the writer could employ more subtle, sophisticated methods of cohesion between sentences rather than relying on standard listing transitions.

Lexical Resource: Band 8.0

The student uses a wide, fluent, and flexible range of vocabulary suited to an academic discussion on employment and society. Less common lexical items and collocations are used skilfully throughout the text, such as "relic of the industrial era", "burnout", "absenteeism and staff turnover", and "staggered shifts". Word choice is generally precise, and there are only occasional minor inaccuracies. Spelling and word formation are entirely accurate. To achieve an even higher score, the student could incorporate slightly more idiomatic academic phrasing or highly sophisticated lexical chunks to elevate the overall stylistic register even further.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 8.0

The response features a wide and impressive range of complex sentence structures used with a high degree of control and flexibility. The majority of sentences are error-free, showcasing complex verb forms, conditional clauses, and participial phrases, such as "designed for a manufacturing economy that no longer dominates" and "With more leisure time, people are likely to spend more...". Control of grammar, punctuation, and agreement is consistently strong throughout the essay with only very rare slips. To maintain this high standard, the writer should continue to balance complex multi-clause sentences with clear, punchy statements to ensure maximum readability and precision.

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

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