Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 13 · 2026-08-03

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)

The lack of physical activity among many individuals in the workforce has been a growing concern, leading to various health issues. This essay examines the reasons behind the insufficient exercise levels among working people and proposes strategies to address this issue with relevant examples.

Primarily, a significant number of employed individuals struggle to incorporate exercise into their daily routine due to time constraints imposed by their jobs. For instance, professionals in the banking sector, particularly in cities like Lagos State, often have early morning commutes to avoid traffic congestion, returning home late after a full day of work. Their sedentary or hectic work schedules leave them with little to no time for physical activity. Consequently, many of these employees experience health problems such as back pain, joint issues, and respiratory concerns from prolonged exposure to air conditioning systems.

Another key factor contributing to the lack of exercise is the overwhelming workload faced by many working individuals. When individuals are fatigued from work, regardless of available time, they lack the energy and motivation to engage in physical activities. A prime example can be observed in healthcare professionals like nurses, who historically managed various duties beyond patient care, leading to exhaustion after long shifts. Such individuals prioritize rest over exercise, which contributes to stress and ultimately affects their health, as evidenced by the prevalence of obesity among nurses in the past.

To address these challenges and prevent health issues associated with inadequate exercise among the working population, certain measures can be implemented. One approach is for employers to allocate time within the workday for group exercise sessions, promoting not only physical well-being but also stress reduction and improved productivity. Additionally, efforts should be made to reduce workloads to allow individuals the opportunity to engage in exercise at home after work hours.

In conclusion, it is imperative for working individuals to prioritize regular exercise either during their work hours or in their free time to safeguard their health and well-being. By addressing the barriers to physical activity in the workplace, individuals can lead healthier lifestyles and mitigate the risk of various health conditions.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, providing clear reasons for the lack of exercise (time constraints and fatigue) and practical solutions (workplace exercise sessions and workload reduction). The ideas are well-developed with relevant examples, such as the mention of banking professionals in Lagos and the historical context of nursing. The position is clear throughout, and the essay maintains a consistent focus on the topic. To reach a higher band, the student could further elaborate on the long-term impact of the proposed solutions to provide a more comprehensive analysis.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between the problems and solutions is smooth. Cohesive devices such as 'Primarily', 'For instance', 'Consequently', and 'In conclusion' are used effectively to guide the reader. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. The flow of information is natural, and the relationship between ideas is consistently clear, meeting the requirements for a high band in this criterion.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

The vocabulary is sufficient and appropriate for the task. The student demonstrates a good range of topic-specific language, such as 'sedentary', 'hectic work schedules', 'fatigued', and 'mitigate the risk'. There is an awareness of collocation and style, and the language used is precise enough to convey complex ideas without ambiguity. While the vocabulary is accurate and functional, it could be slightly more sophisticated or varied in certain areas to reach the highest band, but it is certainly strong and effective for this level.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The essay displays a good variety of complex structures, such as the use of participial phrases ('leading to various health issues') and conditional-like structures ('When individuals are fatigued... they lack...'). The majority of sentences are error-free, and the punctuation is handled well. There are no significant grammatical errors that impede communication. The control over sentence structure is consistent, and the writer demonstrates a solid grasp of both simple and complex grammatical forms, which is characteristic of a high-performing response.

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