Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 13 · 2026-09-18

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 individuals are reluctant to exercise during their workdays or even in their leisure time, which results in health issues. While it primarily stems from mental exhaustion and a lack of motivation, it can be mitigated by flexibility in workplaces and respecting employees' personal time.

The primary reason behind people ignoring exercise is the mental stress they experience in present times. Due to demanding careers and unclear boundaries in personal and professional lives, many individuals can face emotional stress, which may limit their participation in recreational activities such as exercise. Moreover, most individuals lack motivation to go to the gym or work out at home. As people grow older they may settle for their physical appearance and overrate the concept of physical fitness. For example, a working mother may not have enough motivation to go to the gym every day. Thus, emotional exhaustion and insufficient motivation contribute to physical inactivity.

Working people can be persuaded to adopt a healthy lifestyle in different ways. Employers can respect employees' personal time and help establish strict boundaries between personal and professional lives. This may reduce the emotional stress employees experience even on their free days. Furthermore, employers can set up some flexible arrangements to allow employees to exercise during break hours to encourage them to incorporate exercise into their busy routines. For instance, many corporate offices in high-rise buildings offer free membership to the Goodlife Fitness centre located in the same building. Such measures can make a considerable impact on working people's attitudes towards exercise.

In conclusion, although mental exhaustion and a lack of motivation promote neglect towards exercising in working people, they can be efficiently managed through thoughtful employer intervention. By establishing firm boundaries and by making flexible work arrangements, employers can reduce the work-related mental stress, and encourage employees to adopt an active lifestyle.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the task prompt, discussing both the reasons why working people do not get enough exercise (such as mental exhaustion, unclear work-life boundaries, and a lack of motivation) and viable solutions (employer interventions such as respecting personal time and providing flexible work arrangements or facility access). The position is clear throughout the essay, and main ideas are well-developed with relevant examples, such as the mention of corporate offices offering gym memberships. The response meets all requirements for Task Achievement at a high standard, showing a cohesive and fully explored line of argument throughout the paragraphs.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The essay displays a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Each paragraph has a distinct central topic, beginning with a well-formulated introduction, followed by body paragraphs dedicated to causes and solutions respectively, and a concise concluding summary. Cohesive devices are used flexibly and appropriately (e.g., 'While it primarily stems from...', 'Moreover, most individuals...', 'Furthermore, employers can...'). Paragraphing is used sufficiently and effectively. While referencing is generally clear, occasionally cohesion could be slightly more sophisticated to reach the highest band, but the overall structure supports easy reading and logical flow.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

The writer demonstrates a sufficient and flexible range of vocabulary suited to the topic. Less common items such as 'mental exhaustion', 'mitigated', 'insufficient motivation', and 'thoughtful employer intervention' are used with good awareness of style and collocation. There are only occasional minor limitations or standard choices, but overall, the lexical resource is adequate for precise communication. Spelling and word choice are accurate throughout, ensuring that the intended meaning is conveyed without any impediment to the reader.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The student employs a good variety of complex structures with frequent error-free sentences, demonstrating strong control over grammar and punctuation. Examples of successful complex structures include concessive clauses ('While it primarily stems from mental exhaustion...') and conditional/participial phrases. Grammatical control remains high, with only very minor or negligible imperfections. Punctuation is accurate, and the mix of simple and complex sentences is handled smoothly, maintaining high readability and supporting the overall flow of ideas.

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