IELTS Writing Task 2: Long Working Hours & Work-Life Balance (Band 9 Sample)
This two-part "causes and solutions" question asks why so many people now work long hours and what can be done to improve their work–life balance. A band-9 response answers both halves fully, keeps the causes and the solutions clearly separated, and proposes realistic measures. Below is a model answer of roughly 285 words, followed by a breakdown of why it scores 9 on all four criteria.
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01 · The task
In many countries, people are working longer hours and struggling to balance their jobs with their personal lives. What are the causes of this problem, and what measures could be taken to solve it?
02 · Band 9 sample answer
285 words · Band 9In a growing number of countries, the working day seems to stretch ever longer, leaving people little time for family, rest or leisure. This essay will examine the main causes of this trend and suggest some practical ways of restoring a healthier balance.
1. The causes
Several factors are to blame. The most obvious is economic pressure: as the cost of living rises, many feel compelled to put in extra hours simply to make ends meet. Technology has made matters worse, since smartphones and email mean employees are effectively on call around the clock, unable to switch off after leaving the office. On top of this, a competitive workplace culture often equates long hours with commitment, so people stay late for fear of falling behind their colleagues.
2. The solutions
Fortunately, this problem can be tackled from two directions. Governments can legislate to cap weekly working hours and guarantee proper holidays, as several European countries already do. Employers, for their part, can foster a healthier culture by offering flexible or remote working and, crucially, by judging staff on their output rather than the time they spend at their desks.
In conclusion, long working hours stem largely from financial pressure, ever-present technology and a culture that rewards overwork. With sensible regulation and a shift in workplace attitudes, however, it is entirely possible to give people back the balance they so badly need.
03 · Why this scores Band 9
Both parts of the question are fully answered: three clear causes (economic pressure, always-on technology, a culture of overwork) and solutions split deliberately between governments (capping hours, guaranteeing holidays) and employers (flexible working, judging output not hours). The two halves are kept distinct, exactly as a two-part prompt requires.
The introduction signposts the structure ("examine the main causes... and suggest... ways"), and each body paragraph handles one half of the task. Cohesion is smooth and varied — "The most obvious is...", "Technology has made matters worse...", "On top of this...", "Employers, for their part...", "In conclusion...".
Topic vocabulary is precise and idiomatic — "make ends meet", "on call around the clock", "switch off", "equate long hours with commitment", "cap weekly working hours", "judging staff on their output" — carrying the argument with confident collocation rather than filler.
A wide range is controlled accurately: a participle clause carrying consequence ("leaving people little time for family, rest or leisure"), a causal "since" clause ("since smartphones and email mean employees are effectively on call"), and a "so... that"-style result ("people stay late for fear of falling behind"). The writing stays error-free.
04 · Useful collocations for this task
Tap a phrase to see what it means and how to use it. Natural collocations like these lift your Lexical Resource score.
05 · Frequently asked questions
Should I cover both causes and solutions equally?
Yes. A two-part question requires both halves to be developed. This model gives one paragraph to the causes and one to the solutions, so neither is neglected — under-answering either half caps Task Response.
How many causes and solutions should I give?
Two or three developed points per half works best. This answer gives three causes and two levels of solution, each briefly explained, which is deeper and clearer than a long, shallow list.
Why split the solutions between governments and employers?
Because the problem operates at both levels. Addressing regulation and workplace culture separately makes your answer fully responsive and lets you show range — big-picture law and everyday practice.
How long should the essay be?
At least 250 words; a band-9 answer is usually 260–290. This model is 285 words, enough to cover both causes and solutions properly without padding.
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