Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-07

IELTS Writing Task 2 question

It is sometimes possible to pay somebody to do things you don't want to do, or don't have time to do, for example, household chores or looking after children.

Is this a good way of providing work for others?

Should people do these things themselves?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Student answer (Band 8.0)

Nowadays, many people choose to hire others to complete domestic tasks such as cleaning the house, cooking meals, or taking care of children. While this practice undoubtedly creates employment opportunities for many individuals, I believe people should still carry out some personal and family responsibilities themselves, particularly those that strengthen relationships and develop life skills.

Paying others to perform household duties is certainly an effective way of generating employment. Many people, including domestic helpers, cleaners, gardeners, babysitters and caregivers, depend on such jobs as their primary source of income. As modern lifestyles become increasingly hectic, the demand for these services continues to rise, allowing many workers to earn stable wages without requiring advanced educational qualifications. For instance, professional cleaning companies and childcare services have expanded significantly in many countries, creating thousands of jobs while helping busy families manage their daily responsibilities. Therefore, outsourcing household tasks can contribute positively to both employment and the economy.

However, despite these benefits, I do not believe people should rely entirely on others to perform every domestic responsibility. Basic household chores, including cooking, cleaning and organizing one's home, are essential life skills that promote independence and responsibility. More importantly, activities such as raising children should remain primarily the responsibility of parents rather than hired caregivers. Spending time with children enables parents to teach moral values, provide emotional support and build strong family bonds, all of which are difficult to replace through paid services. Although hiring help may be necessary for working parents during office hours, it should complement rather than substitute parental involvement.

That said, there are circumstances in which outsourcing certain tasks is entirely reasonable. Individuals with demanding careers, elderly people, or those with physical disabilities may simply lack the time or ability to perform every household duty themselves. In these cases, professional help lets them keep a healthy work-life balance while getting essential tasks done efficiently.

In conclusion, paying others to carry out household tasks is a valuable source of employment and supports many workers financially. Nevertheless, people should continue to undertake fundamental domestic responsibilities themselves, especially those related to caring for their families, while using professional services only when genuinely necessary.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You clearly state your position in the introduction and maintain it throughout the essay. Both questions—whether it is a good way to provide work and whether people should do these things themselves—are explored with well-developed arguments. You provide relevant examples, such as the mention of domestic helpers and the specific needs of elderly or disabled individuals, which adds depth to your analysis. The ideas are extended logically, and the conclusion effectively synthesizes your main points. The response is balanced, thoughtful, and directly answers the task requirements.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, starting with the economic benefits of outsourcing, moving to the importance of personal responsibility, and finally acknowledging necessary exceptions. Cohesive devices such as 'While this practice', 'For instance', 'However', and 'That said' are used effectively to guide the reader through your argument. Paragraphing is used appropriately, and referencing is clear throughout. The flow is natural, and the relationship between ideas is easy to follow, meeting the requirements for a high band score in this criterion.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.0

You demonstrate a wide and flexible range of vocabulary that is well-suited to the topic. Phrases like 'generating employment', 'hectic', 'advanced educational qualifications', and 'complement rather than substitute' show a sophisticated command of language. The use of collocations is generally accurate and natural. While the vocabulary is consistently strong, there is room to incorporate even more precise or idiomatic academic expressions to reach the highest band. Overall, the lexical range is more than sufficient to convey complex ideas with precision and clarity, and there are no noticeable errors in word choice.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The essay displays a wide range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences with subordinate clauses and varied sentence beginnings. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation is excellent. You successfully use modal verbs and conditional structures to express nuance, such as in the paragraph discussing circumstances where outsourcing is reasonable. There are no significant grammatical errors that impede communication. The writing is fluent and demonstrates a high level of accuracy, consistent with the requirements for a high band score.

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