Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 13 · 2026-07-25

IELTS Writing Task 2 question

Many working people get little or no exercise either during the working day or in their free time, and have health problems as a result.

Why do many working people not get enough exercise?

What can be done about this problem?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

 

Student answer (Band 8.0)

Many working people spend most of their day sitting at work and often do not exercise in their free time, leading to various health problems. This essay will discuss the main reasons for this issue and suggest some practical solutions.

One of the main reasons why many employees fail to exercise is their busy work schedule. Long working hours, combined with lengthy commutes, leave little time or energy for physical activity. As a result, many people prefer to relax at home rather than visit a gym or play sports. In addition, modern technology has made life more convenient but less active. Many office workers spend eight or more hours sitting in front of computers, while cars, lifts, and online services have reduced the need for physical movement in everyday life.

Several measures can be taken to address this problem. Firstly, employers should encourage healthy lifestyles by providing workplace fitness programmes, standing desks, or short exercise breaks during the working day. Secondly, individuals should make exercise a regular part of their daily routine by walking or cycling to work, using the stairs instead of lifts, or setting aside at least thirty minutes each day for physical activity. Furthermore, governments can support active lifestyles by developing parks, cycling lanes, and public sports facilities, making exercise more accessible to everyone.

In conclusion, lack of exercise among working people is mainly caused by demanding work schedules and increasingly sedentary lifestyles. However, with support from employers, governments, and individuals, this problem can be reduced, leading to healthier and more productive societies.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5

The response fully addresses both parts of the prompt: the reasons for sedentary lifestyles and potential solutions. The ideas are well-developed and logically structured. For instance, you provide clear reasons such as 'long working hours' and 'modern technology,' and offer balanced solutions involving employers, individuals, and governments. The position is clear throughout, and the response maintains a consistent focus on the topic. To reach the highest band, you could further extend your arguments by providing a specific example or a more detailed scenario, such as mentioning the impact of remote work or specific corporate wellness initiatives, to add depth to your analysis.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the progression of ideas is smooth. You use a variety of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'In addition,' 'Firstly,' 'Secondly,' and 'Furthermore,' which help guide the reader through your arguments. The paragraphing is appropriate and contributes to the overall clarity of the text. The relationship between sentences is clear, and there is no evidence of mechanical or repetitive use of linking words. The structure is coherent and easy to follow throughout.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with precision. Phrases like 'sedentary lifestyles,' 'physical activity,' and 'demanding work schedules' are used accurately and naturally. The vocabulary is appropriate for the academic context of the task. While the range is good, it could be further enhanced by incorporating more sophisticated or less common collocations to demonstrate a higher level of lexical flexibility. For example, instead of 'make life more convenient,' you could use 'streamline daily existence.' Overall, your word choice is precise and contributes to the clarity of your message without any noticeable errors.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

Your writing displays a good control of grammatical structures. You successfully use a mix of simple and complex sentences, such as 'Long working hours, combined with lengthy commutes, leave little time or energy for physical activity.' The punctuation is accurate, and there are no significant errors that impede communication. The majority of your sentences are error-free, which is a hallmark of a high-scoring response. To aim for a higher band, you could experiment with a wider variety of complex grammatical structures, such as conditional sentences or more varied passive voice constructions, to further showcase your grammatical flexibility.

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