Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-10-28

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 5.5)

In the contemporary era, substantial number of individuals prefer to do their own business rather than any job. It might be due to several reasons like unemployment, lack of sufficient salary in jobs and the way people want to become independent.

Initially, I would like to talk about the reasons of it. Actually, individuals become more mature and intelligent in case of choosing their career. It is because this is the age of social media. We can find thousands way to start our own business. These days, people can start their business on numerous social media platforms. The other reason is an unemployment. Because students get degrees after studying day and night. However, they can't get better job or suficient salary. Therefore, they become disappointed. Furthermore, several individuals don't want to work under the control of anyone. Consequently, they prefer to be self-employed in order to work freely.

On the other hand, there are few minus point too. First of all, the crucial drawback of self-employment is that it take long period of time to become a successful businessman. Although salaries are not suficient for some people, but we can earn in the beginning. In contrast, business take a long period of time to make it's owner wealthy. Moreover, it is also crucial to have an experience about the business. If someone don't have enough experience of business before starting it, they may face so many difficulties. It is because without experience people may lose their wrealth.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You address both questions: you suggest that unemployment, inadequate pay and a desire for independence encourage self-employment, and you identify slow progress and lack of experience as disadvantages. These points are relevant, but several are only briefly explained. For example, the social-media point says people can find ways to start a business, but does not give a concrete example of how this makes self-employment attractive. The disadvantages section would also benefit from another developed consequence, such as unstable income or responsibility for business costs. The response is 3 words below the required minimum, so it does not meet the task’s length requirement. Add a little more explanation and a relevant example to develop the ideas fully.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a clear overall arrangement: an introduction, a paragraph explaining reasons, and a paragraph discussing disadvantages. Signposting such as “Initially,” “Furthermore,” and “On the other hand” helps readers follow the shift between the two parts of the task. However, some links feel mechanical, and the progression within paragraphs is not always smooth. For instance, “The other reason is an unemployment” introduces a point abruptly, while “Although salaries are not sufficient for some people, but we can earn in the beginning” creates a confusing contrast. Group related points more clearly and use linking expressions that show the precise relationship between ideas. Clearer connections between claims and explanations would make the argument easier to follow.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use a reasonable range of topic-related vocabulary, including “self-employed,” “independent,” “unemployment,” and “experience,” and the main meaning is generally clear. There are also attempts at more formal phrasing, such as “crucial drawback.” However, several choices are inaccurate or unnatural, including “do their own business,” “minus point,” and “make its owner wealthy.” Spelling errors such as “suficient” and “wrealth” also reduce accuracy. Aim for natural collocations and check spelling carefully; for example, use “run their own business” and “drawback.” More precise vocabulary would help express the ideas without relying on broad or awkward phrases.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mix of simple and complex sentences, including clauses introduced by “because,” “although,” and “if,” and most of the message remains understandable. However, some grammatical errors occur in both sentence structure and agreement. Examples include “it take long period of time,” “business take,” and “If someone don't have,” where the verb forms do not agree with their subjects. The sentence beginning “Although salaries are not sufficient … but” also combines contrasting structures incorrectly. Articles and plurals need attention in phrases such as “a substantial number” and “thousands of ways.” Practise checking subject–verb agreement and building one clear contrast structure at a time; this will make your complex sentences more reliable.

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