Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 13 · 2026-08-16

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 today get little or no exercise during their working hours or in their free time. This can lead to various health problems. There are several reasons for this situation, and a number of measures can be taken to encourage people to exercise more.

One major reason is that many people have long and demanding working hours. After spending most of the day at work, they often feel tired and prefer to rest at home rather than exercise. In addition, many jobs require employees to sit at a desk and use computers for several hours. Modern lifestyles also make people increasingly dependent on cars, elevators and other conveniences, which reduces their daily physical activity. Furthermore, some people have family responsibilities and limited free time, making it difficult to visit a gym or participate in sports.

There are several ways to address this problem. Employers could encourage physical activity by providing exercise facilities, organising fitness programmes and allowing short breaks during which employees can walk or stretch. Governments could also promote healthier lifestyles by developing safe walking and cycling paths and creating more public sports facilities. At an individual level, people can make simple changes, such as walking or cycling to work, taking the stairs instead of elevators, and going for a short walk during lunch breaks. Even 20–30 minutes of regular exercise each day can improve overall health.

In conclusion, long working hours, sedentary jobs and busy lifestyles are the main reasons why many working people do not exercise enough. Employers, governments and individuals should work together to make physical activity easier and more accessible. These changes can help reduce health problems and improve people's quality of life.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response fully addresses both parts of the prompt: the reasons for the lack of exercise and potential solutions. The ideas are well-developed and logically presented. For instance, you clearly categorize the reasons into professional demands, sedentary work environments, and personal responsibilities, while providing balanced solutions involving employers, governments, and individuals. The position is clear throughout, and the response provides sufficient supporting detail to satisfy the requirements of the task. To reach an even higher band, you could provide a specific, real-world example or a more detailed scenario to further illustrate one of your points, such as the impact of a specific corporate wellness initiative.

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 the solutions is seamless. You make effective use of cohesive devices such as 'In addition,' 'Furthermore,' and 'At an individual level,' which help guide the reader through your arguments. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct ideas. The flow is natural, and the relationship between sentences is consistently clear. The structure is highly effective and supports the overall clarity of the essay.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary that is appropriate for the topic. Phrases like 'sedentary jobs,' 'demanding working hours,' and 'accessible' are used accurately. The language is natural and conveys your meaning precisely. While the vocabulary is sufficient and accurate, it is generally standard. To achieve a higher band, you could incorporate more sophisticated or less common collocations or idiomatic expressions, such as 'mitigate the adverse effects' instead of 'reduce health problems' or 'strenuous work schedules' instead of 'demanding working hours.'

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The essay displays a good range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences and conditional-like structures. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation and tense is consistent. There are no significant grammatical errors that impede communication. You successfully use a mix of simple and complex forms, such as 'Employers could encourage physical activity by providing exercise facilities, organising fitness programmes and allowing short breaks.' The writing is fluent and demonstrates a high level of accuracy throughout the response.

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