Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-19
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 7.5)
In many societies, people increasingly pay others to perform tasks that they either dislike or do not have sufficient time to complete, such as cleaning their homes, preparing meals or caring for children. While this practice provides valuable employment opportunities, I believe that people should retain responsibility for essential household and family duties whenever their circumstances allow.
Hiring others to perform domestic tasks can be a positive development for the labour market. Many people, particularly those from lower-income backgrounds, rely on domestic work as a source of income. By paying someone to clean a house or look after children, employers can provide these individuals with a regular means of earning a living. Moreover, outsourcing time-consuming chores allows people to devote more time to their careers, education or other productive activities. For example, a couple who both work full-time may reasonably employ a cleaner to handle household chores, enabling them to spend their limited free time with their children rather than doing housework.
However, there are strong arguments for people doing these tasks themselves. The most important consideration is that certain responsibilities, particularly childcare, cannot easily be delegated without consequences. Parents who routinely pay others to raise or supervise their children may miss important stages of their development and weaken their relationship with them. Similarly, constantly relying on domestic workers for basic household responsibilities can encourage dependence and prevent individuals from developing practical skills. Cooking, cleaning and caring for one's home are not merely burdensome chores; they are fundamental aspects of independent living.
That said, I do not believe that hiring assistance should be regarded as inherently wrong. The key issue is whether outsourcing a task is reasonable given a person's circumstances. Someone who works exceptionally long hours or has other significant responsibilities may have little choice but to seek assistance. In such cases, employing another person can benefit both parties: the employer gains valuable time, while the employee gains a source of income. Nevertheless, this should complement rather than completely replace an individual's responsibilities, particularly towards their family.
In conclusion, paying others to perform unwanted or time-consuming tasks can be an effective way of creating employment and managing limited time. However, people should continue to perform essential responsibilities themselves, especially those involving their children and personal well-being. In my view, the most sensible approach is to outsource routine tasks when necessary while maintaining direct responsibility for the things that matter most.
Usama
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.5 |
| Overall | 7.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5
The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You clearly state your position in the introduction and maintain it throughout the essay. Both sides of the argument—the benefits of providing employment and the importance of personal responsibility—are well-developed with relevant examples, such as the mention of parents missing developmental stages. The ideas are extended logically, and the conclusion provides a balanced summary that reflects the nuanced position taken in the body paragraphs. The response is well-structured and directly answers both questions posed in the task instructions.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5
The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central topic sentence, and the transition between paragraphs is smooth, using effective cohesive devices such as 'Moreover,' 'However,' and 'That said.' The use of referencing is precise, and the paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct points of view. The flow of the argument is natural, and the relationship between ideas is always clear, which makes the text easy to follow throughout.
Lexical Resource — Band 7.5
You demonstrate a wide and flexible range of vocabulary. You use sophisticated collocations and topic-specific terminology effectively, such as 'outsourcing,' 'inherently wrong,' 'complement,' and 'labour market.' The language is natural and precise, showing a good awareness of style. There are no noticeable errors in word choice or spelling, and the vocabulary is used with a high degree of accuracy to convey complex ideas clearly. The range is sufficient to allow for precise expression of your arguments.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5
The essay displays a wide range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences with subordinate clauses and conditional structures. The majority of sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation and tense usage is excellent. There are no significant grammatical errors that impede communication. You use a variety of sentence forms, such as 'While this practice provides..., I believe that...' and 'Someone who works... may have little choice but to...', which shows a high level of grammatical flexibility and control.
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