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 countries, people increasingly pay others to carry out tasks that they either dislike or do not have enough time to complete, ranging from household cleaning to childcare. Although this practice can create valuable employment opportunities and make modern life more manageable, I believe that individuals should remain personally responsible for important domestic and family-related duties whenever possible.
There are several reasons why paying others to perform household tasks can be beneficial. Most obviously, it creates employment for people who may have limited access to other forms of work. Domestic workers, cleaners, gardeners and childcare providers can earn a living by offering services that are in demand. This arrangement can also improve people's quality of life. For instance, a couple who both work full-time may have little opportunity to clean their home or prepare meals during the week. Hiring a cleaner or occasionally ordering prepared food can allow them to devote their limited free time to rest, personal development or spending time together. Therefore, outsourcing certain chores can be mutually beneficial for both employers and workers.
Nevertheless, there are circumstances in which people should perform these responsibilities themselves. Childcare is perhaps the clearest example. While professional carers can provide valuable assistance, parents have a fundamental responsibility to remain involved in their children's upbringing. Excessive reliance on others could reduce the amount of meaningful time parents spend with their children and potentially weaken family relationships. Similarly, basic household skills such as cooking, cleaning and managing one's living environment are essential for independent life. A person who routinely delegates every domestic task may become unnecessarily dependent on others.
However, this does not mean that hiring assistance is inherently undesirable. The appropriate balance depends largely on an individual's circumstances. Someone who works long hours, has several children or cares for an elderly relative may reasonably need outside help. In such cases, paying another person to carry out routine tasks is not an avoidance of responsibility but a practical way of managing competing demands. What matters is that people do not outsource responsibilities that require their personal involvement simply because they are inconvenient.
In conclusion, employing others to perform unwanted or time-consuming tasks is a legitimate and often beneficial way of creating employment while helping people manage their busy lives. However, individuals should continue to handle essential responsibilities themselves, particularly those involving close family members. In my view, outsourcing routine chores is sensible when necessary, but it should complement rather than replace personal responsibility.
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
You have fully addressed all parts of the prompt. You provided a clear position from the introduction and maintained it throughout the essay. Both questions—whether this is a good way to provide work and whether people should do these things themselves—are explored with well-developed arguments. Your use of examples, such as the full-time working couple and the specific mention of childcare, adds depth and relevance to your points. The conclusion effectively synthesizes your arguments, offering a balanced perspective that directly answers the prompt. The ideas are extended logically, and the response is well-structured to meet the requirements of the task.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5
Your essay demonstrates a clear logical progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between paragraphs is smooth, using effective linking phrases like 'Nevertheless' and 'However'. You use a variety of cohesive devices, such as 'For instance', 'Similarly', and 'In conclusion', which help guide the reader through your argument without feeling mechanical. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the benefits of outsourcing from the necessity of personal responsibility. The structure is coherent, and the flow of information is natural and easy to follow throughout the entire response.
Lexical Resource — Band 7.5
You demonstrate a wide and flexible range of vocabulary. You use precise terms such as 'mutually beneficial', 'fundamental responsibility', 'competing demands', and 'inherently undesirable' with natural control. Your word choice is sophisticated and appropriate for an academic context. There are no noticeable errors in collocation or spelling, and your ability to use less common lexical items effectively contributes to the overall clarity and impact of your writing. The vocabulary is varied and consistently accurate, reflecting a high level of proficiency.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5
Your essay displays a wide range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences with subordinate clauses (e.g., 'Although this practice can create... I believe that...'). The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation and tense usage is excellent. You successfully integrate different sentence types to maintain interest and clarity. There are no significant grammatical errors that impede communication, and your command of complex structures is consistent throughout the text. The writing is highly accurate, demonstrating a strong grasp of English grammar.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.