Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-08-22

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 6.0)

Nowadays, many people prefer to be self-employed instead of working for a company or organisation. There are several reasons for this choice, but being self-employed can also have some disadvantages.

One main reason why people choose self-employment is the chance to earn more money. When a person has a successful business, they may increase their income. Another reason is that self-employed people have more freedom to make their own decisions. They can choose their working hours and decide how to manage their work. For example, a person who runs a small business can decide when to work and which customers to serve.

However, self-employment also has some disadvantages. One major problem is that income can be unstable. A self-employed person may earn less money in some months because there are fewer customers. This can make it difficult to plan monthly expenses. Another disadvantage is that self-employed people have to manage many responsibilities themselves. For example, they may have to find customers, manage money and complete the work without help from a manager. As a result, they may have more stress and less free time.

In conclusion, people may choose self-employment because it can provide higher income and greater freedom. However, unstable income and having to manage many responsibilities can make this type of work difficult. Overall, self-employment can be beneficial, but people should consider these disadvantages before choosing it.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The essay addresses both parts of the prompt: reasons for self-employment and the potential disadvantages. However, the response is under the 250-word minimum requirement, which significantly impacts the development of ideas. While the points made are relevant, they are somewhat superficial and lack the depth required for a higher band score. For instance, the discussion on 'unstable income' could be expanded with more specific examples or a deeper analysis of the psychological or financial implications. To improve, you should aim to elaborate further on your points, perhaps by providing a more detailed real-world example or exploring the long-term consequences of the issues mentioned to ensure the response is fully developed.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the progression of ideas is easy to follow. You use basic cohesive devices such as 'One main reason', 'Another reason', and 'However' to link your points. While the structure is sound, the range of cohesive devices is somewhat limited and repetitive. To reach a higher band, try to incorporate a wider variety of linking words and phrases to improve the flow between sentences and paragraphs, and ensure that referencing is precise throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary used is adequate for the task and allows for clear communication. You use common terms correctly, such as 'self-employed', 'unstable', and 'responsibilities'. However, the range is somewhat restricted, and there is a reliance on simple, repetitive phrasing. There is little evidence of less common lexical items or idiomatic expressions that would demonstrate a more sophisticated command of the language. To improve, focus on integrating more precise synonyms and topic-specific collocations to enhance the academic tone of your writing.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The essay demonstrates a good level of grammatical control. You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, and the majority of your sentences are error-free. Punctuation is generally accurate, and your meaning is always clear. While the grammar is reliable, the range of complex structures is somewhat limited. To achieve a higher score, try to incorporate a wider variety of advanced grammatical forms, such as conditional sentences or passive voice constructions, while maintaining the high level of accuracy you have already demonstrated.

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

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