Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 13 · 2026-08-21

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 7.5)

Many working people today do not get enough physical exercise, either during their working hours or in their free time. This is mainly because of busy schedules and sedentary jobs. However, employers and individuals can take several steps to encourage a healthier lifestyle.

There are several reasons why workers fail to exercise regularly. First, many people have demanding jobs and spend most of their day sitting at a desk. After working for eight or more hours, they often feel tired and prefer to relax at home rather than go to the gym or participate in sports. Secondly, long commuting times can reduce the amount of free time available for exercise. In addition, some people spend their evenings watching television or using their phones instead of doing physical activities. For example, an office worker may spend the entire day sitting at a computer and then spend another few hours sitting in a car or on public transportation.

There are several ways to address this problem. Employers could provide short exercise breaks during the working day or create facilities such as small gyms and walking areas. They could also encourage employees to walk or cycle to work by providing bicycle parking and changing facilities. At an individual level, people should include simple activities in their daily routines. For instance, they could walk during lunch breaks, use stairs instead of elevators, or exercise for 30 minutes after work. These small changes can make a significant difference over time.

In my view, both employers and employees have a responsibility to tackle this issue. If workplaces encourage physical activity and individuals make exercise a regular part of their routines, working people can improve their health and reduce the risk of problems associated with a sedentary lifestyle.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response fully addresses both parts of the prompt. You clearly identify the reasons for the lack of exercise, such as sedentary job roles and long commutes, and provide practical solutions for both employers and individuals. The ideas are well-developed and supported with relevant examples, such as the mention of office workers and specific lifestyle changes like using stairs. The position is consistent throughout the essay, and the conclusion effectively synthesizes the main points. To reach a higher band, you could further elaborate on the long-term societal benefits of these solutions to add more depth to your argument.

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 smooth. You use a variety of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'First', 'Secondly', 'In addition', and 'For instance', which help guide the reader through your argument. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the introduction, the body paragraphs, and the conclusion. The flow of information is natural, and the relationship between sentences is clear throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary that is appropriate for the topic. Phrases like 'sedentary jobs', 'demanding jobs', and 'tackle this issue' are used accurately. While the vocabulary is sufficient and precise, it is mostly functional. To achieve a higher score, you could incorporate more sophisticated or less common collocations and idiomatic expressions to show greater flexibility. For example, instead of 'make a significant difference', you might use 'yield substantial improvements' or 'exert a positive influence'. Overall, the word choice is accurate and supports clear communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay displays a good command of grammatical structures. You use a mix of simple and complex sentences, such as the conditional structure in the final paragraph: 'If workplaces encourage physical activity and individuals make exercise a regular part of their routines, working people can improve their health...'. Punctuation is accurate, and there are very few grammatical errors. The sentences are generally error-free, which indicates a high level of control. To move into the band 8-9 range, you could experiment with a wider variety of complex structures, such as inversion or more advanced relative clauses, to demonstrate even greater flexibility.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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