Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-08-10

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 5.5)

Nowadays, many people want to be self-employed. They do not want to work for a company.Why do people choose this? First, they like freedom. They can choose their own working hours. They can work from home or in a café. Second, they can make more money. If they work hard, all the money is theirs. They do not have a strict boss. They are their own boss.However, being self-employed also has disadvantages. First, the income is not stable. Some months they make a lot of money, but some months they make no money. This is very stressful. Second, they do not get paid holidays or sick leave. If they do not work, they do not get money. Finally, they have to work too much. They do not have time for family or friends.In conclusion, being self-employed is good because you have freedom. But it is also difficult because you do not have a stable salary. People must think carefully before they start.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response addresses both parts of the prompt, identifying reasons for self-employment and its disadvantages. However, the essay is significantly under the 250-word minimum, which severely limits the development of ideas. The points made—such as freedom, income instability, and lack of benefits—are relevant but remain at a superficial level. To reach a higher band, you must expand on these points with specific examples, explanations, or hypothetical scenarios. Because the response is only 162 words, it fails to fully develop the arguments, resulting in a lower score for task achievement.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay is organized into clear paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. You use basic cohesive devices like 'First', 'Second', 'However', and 'In conclusion' to signal transitions. While this is logical, the progression is somewhat mechanical and repetitive. The lack of length prevents the use of more sophisticated linking words or complex paragraph structures. To improve, try to use a wider variety of cohesive devices and ensure that your sentences flow more naturally into one another rather than relying on a simple list-like format.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary used is functional and clear, allowing the reader to understand your points without difficulty. However, the range is quite limited and repetitive (e.g., 'money' is used four times in a short space). There is little evidence of less common lexical items or idiomatic language. To achieve a higher band, you should aim to incorporate more precise vocabulary related to the topic, such as 'financial autonomy', 'fluctuating income', or 'professional benefits', and avoid repeating basic words.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The grammar is generally accurate, and your sentences are easy to follow. You primarily use simple sentence structures. While there are few errors, the lack of complex sentence structures (such as relative clauses, conditionals, or passive voice) limits your ability to demonstrate a wide grammatical range. To improve, try to combine simple sentences into more complex ones using subordinating conjunctions like 'although', 'whereas', or 'consequently'. This will demonstrate better control and variety in your writing.

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

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