Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-08-26

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 choose to be self-employed rather than work for a company or organisation, which is a widely discussed issue. This essay will answer both questions by examining the main aspects of the topic. The following paragraphs explain the answers in detail.

To begin with, the first question can be answered by the fact that self-employment offers greater freedom and flexibility. This is mainly because self-employed people can choose their working hours and make their own decisions, which means they have more control over their professional lives. Consequently, they may have a better balance between work and personal life. For example, a person who works as a freelancer can decide when and where to work. If appropriate decisions are made, this can provide greater job satisfaction. Thus, this provides a clear explanation for the first question.

Turning to the second question, being self-employed can have several disadvantages. One possible reason is that self-employed people may have an uncertain income, leading to financial stress. For instance, a freelancer may not have regular clients every month. Moreover, they are usually responsible for finding customers, managing their business and dealing with work-related problems. As a result, they may have to work longer hours and experience more pressure. Therefore, this offers a practical answer to the second question.

In conclusion, both questions highlight different aspects of self-employment. Overall, understanding these advantages and disadvantages can help individuals make better decisions about their careers.

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 under the 250-word minimum, which limits the depth of development. While the ideas are relevant, they are somewhat generic and could benefit from more specific examples or a more nuanced exploration of the challenges. The position is clear, but the brevity prevents a fully developed argument, leading to a score of 5.5 due to the length penalty and the resulting lack of depth in the supporting points.

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 topic, and the progression of ideas is easy to follow. Cohesive devices such as 'To begin with,' 'Consequently,' and 'Moreover' are used effectively to link sentences and ideas. However, the transitions are somewhat mechanical and repetitive in structure. The paragraphing is appropriate, but the overall structure is quite simple. To reach a higher band, you should aim for more sophisticated linking phrases and a more seamless flow between ideas.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is adequate for the task but lacks variety and sophistication. You use common terms like 'good,' 'better,' and 'problems' repeatedly. While the meaning is always clear, there is little attempt to use less common or idiomatic vocabulary. Phrases like 'widely discussed issue' and 'professional lives' are functional but basic. To improve, you should incorporate more precise collocations and topic-specific terminology related to business and employment. The range is sufficient to communicate your points, but it does not demonstrate the flexibility required for a higher band.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The essay demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. Most sentences are grammatically accurate, and there are no significant errors that impede communication. You use complex structures, such as 'which means they have more control' and 'If appropriate decisions are made,' effectively. However, the range of structures is somewhat limited, and the writing style is quite repetitive. To achieve a higher score, you should aim to incorporate a wider variety of complex grammatical forms, such as conditional clauses or passive voice, with greater consistency and precision.

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

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