Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-09-28

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 7.5)

Nowadays, an increasing number of people are choosing self-employment instead of working for companies or other organisations. This trend can be attributed to the greater freedom and financial opportunities that self-employment can provide, although it also involves considerable risks and responsibilities.

One major reason why people become self-employed is the desire for greater independence. Unlike employees, self-employed individuals generally have more control over their working hours, the type of work they undertake, and the way they organise their professional lives. This flexibility can be particularly attractive to people who dislike rigid working schedules or who need to balance their careers with family responsibilities. Another important factor is the possibility of earning a higher income. While employees are usually restricted to a fixed salary or gradual pay increases, successful entrepreneurs and freelancers can increase their earnings by expanding their businesses or taking on more clients. For example, a skilled graphic designer may earn considerably more by working directly with several international clients than by receiving a fixed salary from a local company.

However, self-employment also has several significant disadvantages. The most obvious is financial insecurity. Unlike salaried employees, self-employed people may have an irregular income, particularly when demand for their services declines. They are also responsible for business expenses such as rent, equipment, marketing and taxation, regardless of whether they make a profit. In addition, self-employed individuals often have to work longer hours because they are responsible for both their professional work and the administrative side of their business. For instance, a small business owner may need to deal with customers, accounting, marketing and suppliers after completing the main work of the day. This can result in considerable stress and make it difficult to maintain a healthy work-life balance.

In conclusion, people increasingly choose self-employment because it offers greater autonomy, flexibility and the potential for higher earnings. Nevertheless, these benefits come at the cost of financial uncertainty, greater responsibility and potentially longer working hours. Therefore, although self-employment can be highly rewarding, it is most suitable for individuals who are prepared to accept its associated risks and responsibilities.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the task by clearly explaining both the reasons why people choose self-employment, such as the desire for greater independence and the potential for higher earnings, and the disadvantages, including financial insecurity and longer working hours. The writer presents a very clear and well-developed position throughout the essay. Ideas are extended with relevant and convincing examples, such as the graphic designer illustration and the small business owner scenario, which add strong support to the arguments. The conclusion effectively summarises the main points. The response meets all the requirements of the band 8 descriptor for this criterion.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.5

Ideas are logically sequenced and progress naturally throughout the essay. The response is divided into logical paragraphs, with a clear introduction, two distinct body paragraphs focusing respectively on advantages and disadvantages, and a concise conclusion. Cohesive devices such as 'Unlike employees', 'Another important factor', 'However', and 'In addition' are managed well and used naturally without being overly mechanical. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately, ensuring the overall structure guides the reader smoothly from one point to the next.

Lexical Resource: Band 7.5

The student demonstrates a wide, fluent, and flexible range of vocabulary appropriate for an academic task. Less common lexical items are used skilfully and naturally, such as 'financial insecurity', 'irregular income', 'work-life balance', and 'administrative side'. Word choice and collocation are generally accurate throughout the essay, with only occasional minor imperfections. The vocabulary successfully conveys precise meanings, allowing the student to discuss complex ideas about employment and lifestyle choices with ease. Spelling and word formation are consistently correct.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 7.5

The response exhibits a wide range of complex sentence structures used accurately and flexibly. The majority of sentences are error-free, demonstrating a very high level of control over grammar and punctuation. Examples of complex structures include concessive clauses ('Although employees are usually restricted...') and relative clauses ('...people who dislike rigid working schedules...'). Errors are extremely rare and do not impede communication at all. The control over tense, agreement, and punctuation easily satisfies the criteria for a high band score.

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