Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-10-18

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 5.0)

In contemporary society, the issue of being your own boss is increases sparking considerable debate. Todays numerous people choose to be a freelancer, rather than to work with another organisation. From my perspective, it is a best way to build up their own company. By this way, they can enhance their abilities much more.

The primary argument in favour of to start their own work independently. By this way, people feel they are boss of their own and not be punctual at work. They spend a lot of time on other activities because now there is no pressure of boss. They have to face loss solo which led to downfall. For example, if someone want to work as a consultant, they must have to knowledge about that specific skill and must be able to spend good time on work.

To opposed with, they have to spend much extra time for better results. Additionally, to start own business they need heavy amount for investment. On the other hand, if they do not manage their work in a right way and make many mistakes in which result they face downfall. Moreover, they have to handle work burden alone and they fell in many brain disorders like stress, depression and anxiety. They feel difficulty to handle their work alone and do not manage their time properly.

To conclude, the issue is profoundly paradoxical and if we ignore the root cause, we will exacerbate the situation a balance approach is require in their work or personal life problems.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You address both questions by suggesting reasons such as independence and freedom from a boss, then identifying disadvantages including investment costs, workload, and stress. However, the response only partially develops these points. The opening claim that self-employment is “a best way to build up their own company” is not clearly connected to the question, and the explanation of why people choose this path remains brief. The consultant example mentions required skills but does not show how it illustrates the appeal or risks of self-employment. Your conclusion refers to a “balance approach” and “root cause” without clearly summarising your answer. Develop fewer points with specific explanations and examples, and state your position more clearly.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.5

The response has an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion, and the disadvantages are grouped together in the third paragraph. This gives it some basic organisation. However, the overall progression is difficult to follow: the second paragraph mixes a reason for self-employment with disadvantages, while the next paragraph begins “To opposed with,” although it continues discussing disadvantages. Linking phrases such as “By this way” are repeated, and some connections between ideas are unclear—for example, the link between having no boss pressure and spending time on other activities. The conclusion also introduces a new, vague idea rather than drawing the discussion together. Give each paragraph a clear purpose and use transitions that accurately show contrast, cause, or result.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You attempt some topic-related vocabulary, including “self-employed,” “investment,” “work burden,” and “stress, depression and anxiety.” These choices help communicate the general subject. However, the range is limited and several word choices or collocations are inaccurate, which sometimes makes the meaning difficult to interpret. Examples include “start their own work independently,” “heavy amount for investment,” and “fell in many brain disorders.” Some expressions, such as “profoundly paradoxical” and “exacerbate the situation,” sound formal but do not fit the point clearly. Aim for precise, natural phrases rather than adding elevated vocabulary where it is not needed. For instance, describe financial costs as “substantial start-up capital” and the mental effects as “experience stress or anxiety.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and longer sentence forms, including a conditional example beginning “if someone want to work as a consultant.” However, complex structures are often faulty, and frequent errors can make the reader work to understand your meaning. Examples include “the issue … is increases,” “people feel they are boss,” and “they have to face loss solo which led to downfall.” There are also problems with verb forms, articles, agreement, and sentence boundaries, as in the final sentence, where two ideas run together without clear punctuation. Practise building accurate sentences with one main clause and a correctly formed supporting clause. Check subject–verb agreement, articles, and verb tense before adding more complex structures.

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