Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-14

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)

In modern society, people often pay others to perform household chores or look after children when they do not have enough time or do not want to do these tasks themselves. In my opinion, this is a positive way of providing employment, although people should still take responsibility for their own families and homes whenever possible.

Firstly, paying someone to do household work can create valuable employment opportunities. Many people depend on jobs such as cleaning, gardening, cooking, or childcare as their main source of income. By hiring these workers, families not only receive useful services but also help others earn a living. For example, a busy family may employ a cleaner once or twice a week, allowing the cleaner to have a regular income while the family has more time for work and other responsibilities.

Furthermore, outsourcing domestic tasks can allow people to use their time more effectively. Parents who work long hours, for instance, may choose to pay for childcare so that they can concentrate on their careers. This can benefit the whole family financially and may reduce stress. It can also be particularly helpful for elderly or disabled people who are unable to manage certain household tasks independently.

However, this does not mean that people should avoid doing domestic work themselves. Parents should normally take an active role in raising their children rather than leaving all childcare to another person. Similarly, household chores can be shared among family members, teaching children responsibility and cooperation. Paying someone to do everything can also be expensive and may create an unhealthy dependence on others.

In conclusion, paying people to carry out domestic tasks is a good way of creating employment and can make modern life more manageable. Nevertheless, people should not completely avoid their own responsibilities. The best approach is to combine paid assistance with personally taking care of important family and household duties.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response fully addresses both parts of the prompt. You clearly state your position in the introduction and maintain it throughout the essay. The first two body paragraphs effectively discuss the benefits of providing employment and the efficiency gains for families. The third paragraph provides a balanced view by addressing the necessity of personal responsibility. The ideas are well-developed and supported with relevant examples, such as the mention of cleaners and the specific needs of elderly or disabled individuals. The response is well-structured and directly answers both questions posed in the prompt, demonstrating a clear understanding of 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 topic, and the transition between paragraphs is smooth, using cohesive devices such as 'Firstly', 'Furthermore', 'However', and 'In conclusion'. The use of referencing is accurate, and the paragraphing is appropriate for the structure of an IELTS essay. The flow of information is natural, and the relationship between the ideas is easy to follow. The cohesive devices are used effectively without being repetitive or mechanical, contributing to a coherent and well-structured response.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with precision. Phrases such as 'valuable employment opportunities', 'main source of income', and 'unhealthy dependence' show a good command of language. The vocabulary is appropriate for the context and style of the task. While the range is solid, incorporating a few more sophisticated or less common collocations could elevate the score further. However, the current usage is accurate and natural, and there are no errors in word choice that impede communication or cause confusion for the reader.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The essay displays a good variety of complex sentence structures, such as conditional clauses ('when they do not have enough time') and relative clauses ('who are unable to manage'). The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation and grammar is consistent throughout the text. There are no significant grammatical errors that distract the reader or affect the clarity of your arguments. The use of modal verbs and tense consistency is well-managed, reflecting a high level of grammatical competence suitable for this level.

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