Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-09-22

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 8.0)

Nowadays, an increasing number of people prefer to be self-employed instead of working for a company or organisation. This trend is mainly caused by the desire for greater freedom and the opportunity to earn more money. However, self-employment also has several disadvantages, including financial uncertainty and increased responsibility.

One important reason why people choose self-employment is that they want more control over their working lives. Self-employed individuals can often decide their own working hours, choose their clients and work from a location that suits them. This flexibility is particularly helpful for parents who need to balance employment with family responsibilities. Another reason is the possibility of earning a higher income. When people run a successful business, they can keep most of the profits rather than receiving a fixed salary. Furthermore, modern technology and social media have made it easier for people to promote their services and operate businesses from home. For example, many people now work independently as online tutors, graphic designers or content creators.

Despite these benefits, being self-employed can have significant drawbacks. The main disadvantage is that income may be unstable. A self-employed person may earn well during busy periods but receive very little money when there are fewer customers. They may also miss out on employee benefits such as paid annual leave, sick leave and employer-funded superannuation. In addition, running a business involves considerable responsibility. Self-employed people must manage their finances, advertise their services, communicate with customers and comply with taxation requirements. These duties can result in long working hours and high levels of stress.

In conclusion, people may choose self-employment because it provides flexibility, independence and the potential for greater earnings. Nevertheless, uncertain income, a lack of employment benefits and additional responsibilities can make this career choice challenging.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response fully addresses all parts of the task by clearly explaining why people choose self-employment and outlining the potential disadvantages. The introduction states a clear position that is maintained throughout the essay. Ideas are well-developed and supported with relevant examples, such as online tutors, graphic designers, and content creators. The reasons provided for self-employment—such as flexibility, control, and potential higher income—are logical and well-expanded. Similarly, the disadvantages like unstable income, lack of employee benefits, and heavy responsibilities are thoroughly explored. The content meets all the requirements of an Academic Task 2 essay, demonstrating a strong understanding of the prompt and delivering a fully developed response that aligns with the Band 8 descriptor for Task Achievement.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The response exhibits a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Each paragraph has a distinct central topic, starting with a comprehensive introduction, followed by well-structured body paragraphs for reasons and disadvantages respectively, and concluding with a concise summary. Cohesive devices are used effectively and flexibly without being intrusive, as seen through transitional phrases like 'Another reason is', 'Furthermore', and 'Despite these benefits'. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately, ensuring the flow of ideas is smooth and easy to follow. Referencing is clear throughout the text, and overall, the structural management of the essay is robust, comfortably fitting the Band 8 criteria for Coherence and Cohesion.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.0

The student demonstrates a wide and flexible lexical range that is used fluently and naturally. Less common vocabulary items are skillfully employed throughout the essay, such as 'financial uncertainty', 'employee benefits', 'superannuation', and 'taxation requirements'. Word choices and collocations are generally accurate, contributing to precise and sophisticated communication. Although the vocabulary may not always reach the absolute sophistication of a Band 9 level, there are only rare and minor inaccuracies. The range is more than sufficient to discuss the topic with precision, making Band 8 an accurate and fair reflection of the student's lexical performance.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The writer displays a wide range of grammatical structures with a high degree of flexibility and accuracy. Complex sentences are used frequently and effectively, such as 'A self-employed person may earn well during busy periods but receive very little money when there are fewer customers.' The majority of sentences are completely error-free, and any complex structures attempted are well-controlled. Punctuation is handled accurately throughout, and there are only very occasional, minor slips that do not impede communication in any way. This strong command of grammar and punctuation places the essay firmly in the Band 8 territory for this criterion.

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