Many people work long hours, leaving very little time for leisure activities. Does this situation have more advantages or more disadvantages?: IELTS Writing Task

Bhargavee Sisodia

18 Nov 2024

During the IELTS writing test problem 2, a candidate is required to compose an essay on a particular topic within 40 minutes. The essay should have a minimum word count of 250. In this blog, we will examine the many types of IELTS essay topics, how to approach them, and provide some examples of writing task 2 topics with answers from different IELTS writing band scores.  

IELTS Writing Essay: Types

IELTS essay topics are classified into six major types, each with its own set of answering patterns. You must be thoroughly informed of each format to evaluate the topic assigned to you before organizing your response, failing which will affect your IELTS writing band score.

• Problem Solution: These essays demand you to explore the causes and repercussions of major issues mentioned in your topic. Giving personal thoughts and suggestions in these types of articles is discouraged. 
• Advantage & Disadvantage: This style of essay requires you to outline the pros and cons of a given topic. The main body of your essay should be well-balanced, with each paragraph addressing the advantages and disadvantages of the given topic. If the issue does not ask for input, refrain from it.
• Discussion: This style of essay allows you to discuss both sides of a topic. If the problem does not directly request your opinion, do not share it. These writings occasionally encourage you to give your opinions, which is when your perception must be presented. 
• Balanced Opinion: This form of essay asks you to present your thoughts on the subject appropriately. You must justify both sides of the argument without preferring one over the other. Your opinions should be conveyed at the start and end of the essay. 
• Opinion: In this essay, you must express your opinion (usually agreement or disagreement) on the assigned topic. Present suitable facts and arguments to persuade the examiner. Remember that you cannot partially agree or disagree with the presented subject. Whatever your perspective is, it must be firm.
• Direct Question/Double Question: This type of essay asks one or multiple direct questions on which your answer needs to be structured in the form of an essay with a straightforward approach. 

Your IELTS writing band score depends on 4 major assessment criteria each accounting for 25% of your score. We have mentioned the categories and their key focus areas for bands 6, 7, and 9 below so that you can prepare your essay accordingly.

IELTS Writing: Assessment criteria 

Tips to get a good Lexical Resources score

To get a good score in the lexical resource category for your essay writing you should follow the “4 - U” Rule mentioned below. 

• Understand Collocations:  Collocation refers to the combination of words or phrases that can be used to enhance the texture of your writing. A few examples of useful collocations for your IELTS writing task 2 topics are listed below for your ease.
• Work culture
• Office Dynamics
• Fringe benefits
• Key Responsibilities
• Arduous office responsibilities
• Career growth
• Professional Priorities
• Brain Damage
• Overburdening professional priorities
• Use uncommon phrases: You should be able to use a lot of uncommon phrases and idioms within your essay to show your vocabulary range and grasp of English writing. You also need to be careful about the relevance of the idioms used in your essay so that they can amplify your ideas without confusing the examiner. Some examples have been mentioned below. 

Use a variety of synonyms: A variety of synonyms can instantly increase your lexical range and decrease the repetition of words. But you need to be fully aware of the context of a sentence to use the appropriate synonyms else it can degrade the quality of your writing.

• Use a lot of paraphrasing: Paraphrasing means using different words and phrases to repeat a sentence without changing its actual meaning. It is advised to use a lot of paraphrasing to avoid repeating the words mentioned in the IELTS writing task 2 topics.

IELTS writing task 2: How to write a great Introduction

“First impressions last” – It is one of the most genuine facts that is true for all situations in life. Just like that, your IELTS essay should have a salad “first impression” which would draw the examiner’s attention. Thus you need to know about the common mistakes one can encounter while drafting the introduction of their essay. 

Common blunders

• Writing a general introduction: The whole point of giving a topic to write an essay is to understand the views and understanding of the candidate on the topic. Thus, if your introduction paragraph is too general, it fails to grab the attention of the examiner.
• Not giving opinion/ Giving unwanted opinion: A common mistake is to forcefully incorporate your personal perspective in an essay even if it is not asked for in the question. Another mistake is to not provide proper opinionated sentences in the introduction when it is clearly asked for in the topic statement. Thus, it is important to understand the questions and form a good introduction with or without your opinion, depending on the demand of the topic. 
• Trying to be forcefully entertaining: A formal essay doesn’t require you to be entertaining or innovative. So it is best to avoid making mistakes while trying to be innovative with your essay’s introduction. 
• Using informal language: IELTS writing task 2 topics are usually very formal and it is best to keep your language formal as well. Using informal language or tone would result in a lower score. 

Introduction structure

Your introduction should follow the basic structure mentioned below

• A good paraphrasing of the problem statement
• Your opinion (if mentioned in the question)
• A ood continuation statement for the next paragraph

IELTS writing task 2 topics with answers  

Determining the category of your essay

Identifying the correct category your essay falls into is one of the most pivotal tasks while you plan your essay. You need to have a proper idea of the category in order to create a blueprint of the essay and finally write it down. 

For example, our topic in hand is “Many people work long hours, leaving very little time for leisure activities. Does this situation have more advantages or more disadvantages?”

The keyword in the question is “more advantages or more disadvantages”. 

This means the topic clearly falls into the “Advantage & Disadvantage” essay category. 

• The topic doesn’t ask for your opinion, hence you should strictly avoid giving your opinion and articulate your essay in the most poignant manner possible. 

Advantage & Disadvantage Essay: This type of essay is a discussion essay that asks you to elaborate on the pros and cons of a given issue. Make sure to divide your main body into two paragraphs each having advantages and disadvantages of the issue respectively without imparting your perspective. You should mention relevant examples of both standpoints in the respective paragraphs. 

The Essay Structure

Introduction: Paraphrase the given information and answer the question asked in the topic statement. 

Main Body: The main body should consist of 2 paragraphs.

• Paragraph 1: Discuss the advantage of the argument. Give specific reasons with examples to support it.
• Paragraph 2: Discuss the disadvantage of the argument. Give specific reasons with examples to support it.

Conclusion: Restate the problem statement and give a fulfilling conclusion.

Now let's have a look at the possible answers to the above topic from the “Advantage and Disadvantage” category for the IELTS writing band scores 6, 7, and 9. 

score 6

Employees are getting increasingly involved in work long hours without taking breaks for their hobby as the workplace culture evolves. In this essay, I will go over each of the various advantages and disadvantages of working beyond limits.

While discussing the advantages of longer work hours, every extra effort has some advantages. Extended work hours, however, are rewarded for various benifits such as more money, overtime, promotions, and other gifts Everyyear, employees that go employees who overwork themselves earn more money in terms of bonus and rewards. Furthermore, employers reward long work hours with substantial overtime money, which employees can use for shopping, buying houses, buying cars etc. For example, my friend works 18 hours a day at her work, but with the extra money she earns, she goes on nice vacations and shoppings. 

However, extended office shifts have various drawbacks, including personal relationships and health issues. Without sufficient relaxation, we lose our urge to work with the same energy which affects our productivity and gives us a depressing outlook of life. Furthermore, overworking and a lack of leisure cause difficulty in relationships since they interfere with one's personal commitments. For example, my friend hardly has any time to catch up with me because of her work pressure, which has affected our friendship and we have drifted apart. 

To summarize, overworking has both advantages and disadvantages that should be carefully considered by every indivudual. Increased work responsibilities provide several benefits, including professional growth and more money, but they also have negatives, such as an increased risk of heart disease, anxiety, and obescity.  

Notes on the above answer: 

• The words in both underlined and italics represent Grammatical faults that lower your Accuracy score. 
• The words in Italics indicate spelling mistakes. Those, along with the lack of variations in vocabulary are the key factors behind a lower score in Lexical Resources. 
• The number of linking words is below average, and words in bold like “work”, “employees”, “overworking” and “more money” have been repeated, because of which the overall score of Cohesion and Coherence has decreased.

score 7

Employees are becoming more and more inclined to work long hours without taking breaks for leisure activities as the work culture changes daily. I will go into more detail about each of the numerous benefits and drawbacks of this change in workplace dynamics in this essay.

Starting with the benefits of extended work hours, every extra effort has certain advantages which are very enticing. Extended work hours are, nonetheless, compensated for with benefits such as paid time off, overtime, early promotions, and appreciation mementoes. For instance, employees who go above and beyond their primary duties receive a big bonus every year. Furthermore, companies reward long working hours with generous overtime, which employees can use to fulfill their goals in life like future planning, and asset accuisition. 

On the other hand, long office shifts come with several disadvantages, including relationship and health challenges. Without proper relaxation, our body tends to become lethergic and our zest for life vanishes. Additionally, due to overworking and shortage of time conflict in relationships arise since it interferes with one's personal obligations. To provide an example, my neighbor is too preoccupied with her business, and because of this, there is constant arguments between her and her family. On top of that, I read about anxiety and depression among young people because of professional pressure.   

Overall, there are benefits and drawbacks to overworking, which deserve careful consideration. Increased job commitments provide many advantages, such as enhanced professional advancement and financial help, but they also have drawbacks, such as increased risk of heart disease, obesity, anxiety, and brain abnormalities. 

Notes on the above answer: 

• The words in both underlined and italics represent Grammatical faults that lower your score in Accuracy.  
• The number of linking words below satisfaction, and words in bold like “work”, “employees”, and “drawbacks” have been repeated, which has brought down the overall score in Cohesion and Coherence. 
• Words in Italics indicate spelling errors or a lack of Lexical Resources. 

score 9

The work culture is evolving with every passing day, and so is the tendency of employees to burn the candle at both ends without any time for recreational activities. This shift in office dynamics has some advantages and countless disadvantages which will be elaborated on in this essay with relevant instances. 

Beginning with the positive aspects of lengthy shifts in the work ethos, here every extra effort has some perks that are hard to ignore. The public working remotely is given that privilege in return for a huge burden of workload and uninterrupted availability. However, prolonged office hours are rewarded with fringe benefits like overtime payments, paid holidays, early promotions, and awards. For example, my firm’s personnel who go the extra mile are annually awarded a substantial bonus. Not only that, but lengthy duties are compensated with hefty overtime which fills the void of financial shortage and helps people fulfill their life goals a little faster and a little fancier. To illustrate, my sister earns 50% above her daily payscale for every extra hour she puts in at the office, which has expedited her savings for buying a new apartment. 

Alternatively, extended professional shifts have several drawbacks like health issues and relationship challenges. Due to the lack of a breather, the human body tends to malfunction causing severe ailments. Moreover, the lack of time interferes with one’s responsibilities and roles in their personal life, which results in agitated relationships. To elaborate, a workaholic colleague of mine is getting divorced from her husband after 10 years of marriage due to her lack of availability on an intimate level because of her overburdening professional priorities. Apart from that, a friend of mine is having panic disorder due to the rat race of arduous office responsibilities.

All in all, overworking has its fair share of pros and cons, which one needs to thoroughly weigh before diving into. Sure the benefits of higher work commitments are high like financial aid and career growth, but so are the demerits that accompany them like heart disease, anxiety, cholesterol, and brain damage.

Conclusion

As you get ready for the IELTS writing test, you need a guide that will help you prepare for the IELTS essay topics. D-VIVID could be just what you need at this point in your life. Thousands of applicants have used our comprehensive database of typical IELTS writing task 2 topics and answers to help them get the IELTS writing band score they wanted. Your IELTS preparation will be simple and enjoyable with our tailored IELTS exam instruction and top-notch study resources covering a wide range of IELTS writing task 2 topics. Thus, get in touch with us right now to experience perfection.