Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-09-01

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)

It is clear that, most of the people that are employed at a company think that owning a business is more beneficial to them rather than working for someone else. This essay will discuss their opinions and provide reasons.

Since the dawn of 21st century people have had distinct opinions on self-employment. One of the reason why many think that it is better than a typical job is because it provides a sense of freedom. As a result they can do what they please. For instance, if a person owns a factory, then he can start the work as per his schedule. Whereas in a company he has to follow the instructed timeline scheduled by the company.

In contrast, I believe that there are some demerits of being self-employed. One of the reason is risk. To own a business or a company, an individual has to take a lot of risks which may have an adverse effect on his financials. For example, the owner of a bakery has to bear all the uncertainties regarding the food items in his store. Since there are a lot of perishable items in the shop, one has to manage all the costs that derive once the food is spoilt.

Therefore, people have to think twice before choosing to be employed on their own. Furthermore, it involves high uncertainty and will power. Consequently, these factors will have an adverse effect on mental health. Moreover, I think that people should plan in advance and take necessary measures if they want to be self-employed.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response addresses both parts of the prompt: the reasons for choosing self-employment and the potential disadvantages. However, the development of ideas is somewhat limited. While you provide examples like the factory owner and the bakery, the analysis remains relatively superficial. To reach a higher band, you should expand on the 'why'—for instance, by discussing the psychological benefits of autonomy or the broader economic implications of self-employment. The conclusion is brief and does not fully synthesize the points made. The position is clear, but the depth of argument needs to be more consistent throughout the essay to fully satisfy the requirements of the task.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, each with a clear focus. You use some cohesive devices such as 'In contrast', 'For instance', and 'Furthermore' to link ideas. However, the flow between sentences is occasionally mechanical, and some transitions feel abrupt. For example, the jump from the bakery example to the concluding paragraph could be smoother. Referencing is generally clear, but the use of cohesive devices could be more varied and sophisticated to improve the overall progression of the argument. The paragraphing is appropriate, but the internal cohesion within paragraphs could be strengthened to ensure a more natural flow of information.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary used is adequate for the task, allowing you to express your ideas clearly. You use some topic-specific terms like 'self-employed', 'uncertainties', and 'perishable items'. However, the range is somewhat limited, and there is a reliance on simpler vocabulary. There are also minor issues with word choice, such as 'employed on their own' instead of 'self-employed' or 'entrepreneurial'. To improve, try to incorporate more precise collocations and less common lexical items related to business and employment. The current range is sufficient to convey meaning, but it lacks the flexibility and precision required for a higher band score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

You demonstrate a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While many sentences are clear, there are recurring grammatical errors, such as 'One of the reason' (should be 'One of the reasons') and 'Since the dawn of 21st century' (missing 'the'). These errors do not impede communication, but they are noticeable. Your control over punctuation is generally good, but the sentence variety could be improved by using more complex structures, such as conditional clauses or passive voice, to enhance the sophistication of your writing. Focusing on subject-verb agreement and article usage will help improve your accuracy.

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

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