Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · IELTS Complete Catalyst · 2026-09-22

IELTS Writing Task 2 question

Some people regard work as the most important thing in life and have little interest in anything else. Other people are more enthusiastic about their hobbies and leisure interests than their jobs.

Discuss both these attitudes and give your own opinion.

You should use your own ideas, knowledge and experience and support your arguments with examples and relevant evidence.

Student answer (Band 8.0)

In modern society, people hold contrasting attitudes towards the role of work in their lives. While some individuals treat their career as their central focus and identity, others place greater value on hobbies and leisure pursuits outside of work. This essay will examine both perspectives before presenting my own view.

Those who prioritise work above all else often do so because it provides financial security, professional status, and a sense of purpose. For many, career success is closely tied to self-worth, and climbing the professional ladder brings both material rewards and social recognition. This attitude is particularly common in competitive fields such as finance, law, or medicine, where long hours are often seen as necessary for advancement. Furthermore, dedicating oneself fully to work can lead to genuine expertise and innovation, as history shows that some of the most significant achievements have come from individuals deeply committed to their profession.

On the other hand, those who value hobbies and leisure over work argue that a fulfilling life extends beyond one's career. Engaging in activities such as sport, art, or music provides mental relaxation, creative expression, and opportunities to build relationships outside professional circles. This attitude has gained wider acceptance in recent years, especially as concerns about burnout and work-life balance have grown. Countries like Denmark and the Netherlands, for instance, have built cultures around shorter working hours specifically to allow more time for leisure, and studies suggest that employees with strong outside interests often display greater productivity and creativity at work as a result.

In my opinion, neither attitude alone leads to a genuinely satisfying life. While work is undoubtedly important for financial stability and personal achievement, treating it as the sole priority can result in stress, strained relationships, and a narrow sense of identity. Conversely, focusing entirely on leisure without professional ambition may lead to financial insecurity and a lack of long-term purpose. I believe the healthiest approach is one of balance, where work is pursued with dedication but not to the exclusion of personal interests and relationships.

In conclusion, both attitudes reflect valid but incomplete approaches to life. A balanced lifestyle, in which work and leisure complement rather than compete with one another, is ultimately the most sustainable and rewarding path.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the task by discussing both attitudes towards work and leisure, and providing a well-reasoned personal opinion. The student's position is clear throughout the essay. Ideas are well developed and supported with relevant examples, such as mentioning competitive fields like 'finance, law, or medicine' and referencing countries like 'Denmark and the Netherlands' to illustrate different work-life balance cultures. The arguments are logically extended without over-generalising, meeting all Band 8 requirements for Task Achievement.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

Ideas are logically sequenced, guiding the reader smoothly from the introduction through the body paragraphs to a balanced conclusion. Cohesive devices are managed naturally and flexibly, seen in transitional phrases like 'On the other hand', 'Furthermore', and 'Conversely'. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately, with each paragraph focusing on a distinct aspect of the prompt (work-centric views, leisure-centric views, and the synthesis in the opinion). Referencing is clear throughout, contributing to an overall coherent and seamless reading experience.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.0

The student demonstrates a wide, fluent, and flexible range of vocabulary appropriate for an academic essay. Less common lexical items are used skilfully and naturally, such as 'financial security', 'professional status', 'burnout', and 'work-life balance'. Word choice and collocations are precise throughout, with phrases like 'climbing the professional ladder' and 'narrow sense of identity' used effectively. Errors in spelling or word choice are practically non-existent, reflecting strong control over lexical features.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The response exhibits a wide variety of complex sentence structures used with a high degree of accuracy. The majority of sentences are completely error-free, showcasing excellent control over subordination, relative clauses, and participial phrases (e.g., 'Engaging in activities such as sport, art, or music provides mental relaxation...'). Punctuation is handled flawlessly, and grammar remains sophisticated yet precise, allowing the communication of nuanced ideas without any hindrance.

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

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