Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-08-17

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 7.5)

In recent years, a growing number of individuals have opted for for self employment over traditional employment within a company or organization. This shift is driven by several key factors, though working independently also carries notable drawbacks. The primary reason for choosing self employment is the desire for autonomy and flexibility. Unlike traditional employees who must adhere to strict office hours and fixed hierarchies, self employed individuals have full control over their schedules, workloads, and working environments. This independence allows workers to achieve a better work life balance and pursue projects that align directly with their passions. Additionally, the potential for higher financial reward plays a major role. Instead of earning a set salary, freelancers and business owners directly reap the profits of their hard work and expertise, eliminating income ceilings imposed by employers.

However, self employment presents significant challenges, chief among which is financial instability. Freelancers and entrepreneurs face unpredictable income streams, as revenues fluctuate depending on client demand and economic conditions. Unlike regular company staff, they do not receive guaranteed monthly paychecks, paid sick leave, holiday pay, or employer sponsored pensions. Furthermore, self employed workers bear sole responsibility for operational management, including tax accounting, administrative duties, and marketing, which can lead to high stress levels and burnout. Without the supportive infrastructure and social interaction provided by a traditional workplace, long hours can lead to feelings of isolation.

In conclusion, while freedom and financial growth drive many people toward self employment, the trade off involves navigating unpredictable income and managing every aspect of the business independently.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses both parts of the prompt: the reasons for choosing self-employment and the associated disadvantages. The ideas are well-developed, with clear explanations regarding autonomy, financial potential, and the trade-offs of instability and administrative burden. The position is consistent throughout, and the arguments are logically extended. The response is balanced and provides a comprehensive overview of the topic, meeting all requirements of the task effectively. The content is relevant and demonstrates a good understanding of the complexities involved in the shift toward self-employment.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a concise conclusion. Each paragraph has a central theme, and ideas flow smoothly from one to the next. Cohesive devices such as 'Additionally', 'However', and 'Furthermore' are used effectively to link sentences and arguments. The progression of ideas is logical, moving from the benefits to the challenges and finally to a summary. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the two main aspects of the prompt, ensuring the reader can easily follow the writer's line of reasoning.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

The vocabulary is precise and appropriate for an academic context. The student uses a range of topic-specific terminology such as 'autonomy', 'fixed hierarchies', 'income ceilings', 'unpredictable income streams', and 'operational management'. The word choice is natural and demonstrates a good command of collocation. While the range is sufficient and effective, it stops just short of the 'wide range of less common items' required for the highest band, but it is consistently accurate and contributes to a professional tone throughout the essay.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The essay demonstrates a good variety of complex sentence structures, such as the use of participial phrases ('eliminating income ceilings...') and conditional-like structures ('Unlike traditional employees who must...'). The majority of sentences are error-free, and the grammar is controlled. Punctuation is generally accurate, though there is a minor error in the first sentence ('opted for for self employment'). Despite this, the grammatical control is strong, and the errors are non-systematic and do not impede communication in any way. The writing is fluent and demonstrates a high level of accuracy.

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