Hustlers IELTS | Cambridge IELTS 19 Academic (Test 2) | Band 7–9 Plan + Model Answer + Vocabulary
This is a straight Agree/Disagree essay. There’s no “both views” and no “discuss advantages and disadvantages” unless you choose to include them strategically.
Your mission is simple:
- take a clear position
- support it with strong, developed reasons
- finish with a decisive conclusion
The Task
The working week should be shorter and workers should have a longer weekend. Do you agree or disagree?
(Cambridge IELTS Academic 19, Test 2)
High-Band Plan (What to Write)
Position: Strongly agree
Reason 1: Productivity
- better-rested workers = higher focus + better output
- evidence from companies testing a 4-day week
Reason 2: Work–life balance and mental health
- longer weekend = family time + recovery
- reduces stress and burnout
- contrast examples: Japan (overwork culture) vs Denmark (wellbeing)
Reason 3: Employment
- fewer hours per worker can require more staff
- example: France and the 35-hour workweek
Band 7–9 Model Essay
In recent years, there has been a growing debate over whether the traditional five-day working week should be shortened to allow for longer weekends. I firmly agree that reducing the working week would yield significant benefits for both employees and employers.
Firstly, a shorter working week can enhance productivity. There is increasing evidence to suggest that reduced working hours can equate to increased output because workers are better rested. For instance, some companies have experimented with a four-day workweek and observed that employees not only maintained but often exceeded previous productivity levels. The additional rest allowed workers to return to work with renewed energy and greater focus, leading to more efficient performance.
Secondly, extending the weekend promotes a better work-life balance, which is crucial for mental health. Longer weekends provide employees with more opportunities to engage in leisure activities, spend quality time with their family, and recharge mentally. This can reduce stress levels and prevent burnout. In countries like Japan, where the work culture has even led to death from overwork, it is evident that insufficient rest can have dire consequences. By contrast, nations that prioritise work-life balance, like Denmark, often report higher levels of employee satisfaction and well-being.
Moreover, shortening the working week could help alleviate unemployment by distributing available work amongst more people. If companies require the same amount of labour hours but individual employees work fewer hours, they will need to hire additional staff to meet their needs. Indeed, some countries, such as France, have adopted a 35-hour workweek, which aims to reduce unemployment by spreading work more evenly across the population.
In conclusion, shortening the working week and extending the weekend offers multiple advantages, including increased productivity, improved mental health, and potential reductions in unemployment. Therefore, it is a proposal that merits serious consideration by both policymakers and businesses seeking to optimise performance and enhance quality of life.
Why This Essay Scores High
- Clear position throughout: “I firmly agree” + consistent development
- Well-developed reasons: each point is explained and supported
- High-band cohesion: “Firstly / Secondly / Moreover / In conclusion” used naturally
- Realistic examples: workplace trials, Japan/Denmark contrast, France policy
Vocabulary to Reuse (Band 7+ Collocations)
- a growing debate over whether
- shortened
- yield significant benefits
- enhance productivity
- increasing evidence to suggest that
- equate to increased output
- better rested
- not only maintained but often exceeded
- renewed energy and greater focus
- work-life balance
- engage in leisure activities
- quality time
- recharge mentally
- stress levels
- prevent burnout
- death from overwork
- dire consequences
- by contrast
- prioritise
- employee satisfaction
- alleviate unemployment
- hire additional staff
- spreading work more evenly
- multiple advantages
- merits serious consideration
- policymakers
- optimise performance
- enhance quality of life