Band 4.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 4.0 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-11-12
IELTS Writing Task 2 question
Nowadays many people choose to be self-employed, rather than to work for a company or organisation.
Why might this be the case?
What could be the disadvantages of being self-employed?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Student answer (Band 4.0)
I BELIVE THAT NOW A DAYS PEOPLE ARE CHOOSING SELF EMPLOYED. BECAUSE PEOPLE RATHER THAN WORK FOR COMPANY OR ORGANISATION WE CAN DO OUR BUSINESS PEOPLE ARE THINKING.
THE SELF EMPLOYING MAY CAUSES PROBLEMS. BECAUSE WE WANT MORE FINANCIAL INCOMWE TO INVEST IN THE BUSINESS OR SOME TYPE OF ORGANISATIONS. WHILE COMPARING TO WORK IN THE COMPANY OR ORGANISATION WE CANT NOT INVEST THE FINANCIAL INCOME . I THINK THAT SELF EMPLOYE MAY CAUSE MORE PROBLEMS IN THE SOCIETY.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 3.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 4.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 4.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 4.0 |
| Overall | 4.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 3.0
The response makes a limited attempt to address the topic, but it does not adequately answer either question. It suggests that people choose self-employment so they can “do our business,” and mentions financial investment and possible problems as disadvantages. However, the reasons for choosing this work are not explained, and the disadvantages are unclear: the comparison with company work does not show why self-employment causes greater financial difficulty. There is no relevant example or developed supporting point. The response is also 171 words below the required minimum, leaving too little space to explain both parts of the task. To improve, state a clear reason and disadvantage, then explain each with a specific example.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.0
There is a basic attempt to separate the response into two parts: the first discusses why people may choose self-employment, and the second introduces possible problems. This gives the reader a minimal sense of the task’s two questions. However, the ideas within each part are not arranged into a clear line of reasoning, and the opening sentence is difficult to follow. The repeated use of “because” does not establish clear links between claims, while “while comparing” introduces a comparison whose point is uncertain. Use a clear paragraph for each question, begin each with a direct main idea, and connect explanation and example with straightforward linking phrases.
Lexical Resource: Band 4.5
The response uses a small set of relevant topic words, including “self-employed,” “business,” “financial income,” and “organisation,” so the general subject can be recognised. However, vocabulary is repetitive and several choices are inaccurate or unclear, such as “self employing,” “financial incomwe,” and “self employe.” The phrase “more financial income to invest” does not clearly express the intended disadvantage, and “problems in the society” is too general to communicate a specific consequence. Build a more precise range around the topic—for example, income stability, business costs, clients, and responsibility—and check spelling and word forms carefully.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.0
The response attempts simple statements and a few longer constructions, but control is limited and errors frequently make relationships between ideas difficult to understand. For example, “Because people rather than work for company or organisation we can do our business people are thinking” has no clear sentence structure, and “The self employing may causes problems” combines an incorrect subject form with an incorrect verb form. “We cant not invest” also contains a confusing negative construction. Use complete sentences with a clear subject and verb, such as “People may choose self-employment because they want to run their own business.” Practise basic agreement, articles, and sentence boundaries before attempting longer structures.
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