Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-09-10

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 7.0)

Nowadays, many people prefer to become self-employed instead of working for a company. There are several reasons for this choice, such as having more freedom and the opportunity to earn more money. However, self-employment also has some disadvantages, including financial uncertainty and increased responsibility.

One main reason why people choose self-employment is freedom and flexibility. Self-employed people can decide their own working hours and do not have to follow a strict schedule set by an employer. This can help them spend more time with their families and maintain a better work-life balance. For example, a person who works independently can choose to work in the morning or evening according to their personal needs. Another reason is the possibility of higher income. If a person runs a successful business, they may earn more money than they would as an employee. They can also have more control over their career and make decisions without depending on a manager.

However, being self-employed also has several disadvantages. The biggest problem is unstable income. Unlike regular employees, self-employed people may not receive the same amount of money every month. They can experience financial difficulties when there are fewer customers or when their business faces unexpected problems. In addition, they have more responsibilities, such as managing finances, paying taxes, finding customers, and dealing with business problems. This can lead to stress and long working hours. They may also have less job security and fewer employee benefits, such as paid holidays or health insurance.

In conclusion, people choose self-employment mainly because it provides freedom, flexibility, and the potential for higher earnings. Nevertheless, financial uncertainty and greater responsibility can make self-employment challenging. In my opinion, it is a good option for people who are independent, hardworking, and willing to accept these risks.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response addresses all parts of the prompt clearly. You have identified two distinct reasons for choosing self-employment (freedom and income potential) and two main disadvantages (financial instability and increased responsibility). The ideas are relevant and supported with clear explanations and examples, such as the mention of work-life balance and the specific administrative burdens like paying taxes. The position is consistent throughout the essay, and the conclusion effectively summarises your stance. To reach a higher band, you could further extend your examples by discussing the long-term implications of these choices, such as the impact on retirement planning or professional development, which would add more depth to your analysis.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organised with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph has a central topic sentence, such as 'One main reason why people choose self-employment is freedom and flexibility.' Cohesive devices are used effectively to link ideas, for example, 'However,' 'In addition,' and 'Nevertheless.' The progression of ideas is smooth, and the paragraphing is appropriate for the task. The referencing is clear, and the flow of information is easy to follow. To improve, you could experiment with a wider variety of cohesive devices to ensure the transitions between sentences feel even more natural and less mechanical.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with precision. Phrases like 'financial uncertainty,' 'work-life balance,' and 'job security' are used accurately. The vocabulary is appropriate for an academic context and conveys your meaning clearly. While the range is adequate, it is somewhat functional. To achieve a higher score, you should aim to incorporate more sophisticated or less common lexical items, such as 'autonomy,' 'fluctuating income,' or 'administrative overheads,' to demonstrate a more flexible and precise command of the language.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay displays a good control of grammar with a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. Most sentences are error-free, and your use of punctuation is generally accurate. You successfully use complex structures, such as conditional sentences ('If a person runs a successful business, they may earn more...') and contrastive clauses. There are very few grammatical slips, and the communication is never impeded. To reach the next level, ensure you continue to vary your sentence length and structure even further, perhaps by incorporating more advanced subordinating conjunctions or passive constructions where appropriate.

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