Band 8 Opinion Essay: IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer with Analysis

The best way to understand band 7 and 8 writing is to see it and analyse why it works. The essay below is original and written for this site. Study the technique, not the sentences: memorised essays score poorly.

The question

Some people believe that working from home benefits both employees and employers, while others think it harms productivity and team spirit. To what extent do you agree that working from home is a positive development?

Model answer

Since the pandemic, a large share of office employees have continued to work from home for at least part of the week. While I accept that remote work can weaken relationships within a team, I believe that, on balance, it is a positive development for both workers and organisations.

The most obvious benefit for employees is the time and money saved on commuting. A worker who previously spent ninety minutes a day travelling regains more than seven hours a week, which can be used for rest, family or exercise. This improved balance between work and private life tends to reduce stress and, as a result, staff turnover. Employers also gain: companies that allow remote work can recruit talented people who live far from the office, and they can reduce the cost of renting large premises in city centres.

Admittedly, working from home has drawbacks. New employees in particular may find it harder to learn from experienced colleagues when they cannot simply ask a question across the desk, and spontaneous conversations, which often produce new ideas, become rarer. However, these problems can largely be solved through good management rather than by abandoning remote work. Many firms now adopt hybrid schedules, bringing teams together on fixed days for meetings, training and social activities, while leaving focused individual work for home.

In conclusion, although remote work presents genuine challenges for communication and team cohesion, its advantages in terms of employee well-being, access to talent and lower costs are more significant. With sensible hybrid arrangements, I am convinced that it represents a step forward for the modern workplace.

(289 words)

Why this essay scores band 8

Task Response

• The position is clear in the introduction ("on balance, it is a positive development") and consistent to the end.
• It addresses the counter-argument (team spirit) and answers it instead of ignoring it.
• Ideas are extended: saved commuting time → seven hours a week → less stress → lower staff turnover.

Coherence and Cohesion

• Each paragraph has one clear function: benefits, drawbacks plus response, conclusion.
• Linking is varied and natural: As a result, Admittedly, However, In conclusion. It is not mechanical (Firstly, Secondly, Thirdly).
• Referencing avoids repetition: this improved balance, these problems.

Lexical Resource

• Precise collocations: staff turnover, recruit talented people, team cohesion, hybrid schedules.
• Less common but natural vocabulary: premises, spontaneous, genuine challenges.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy

• Complex structures used accurately: relative clauses (which often produce new ideas), concession (While I accept that…), passive-like forms and conditionals.
• Almost no errors. Accuracy matters as much as range.

How to use a model answer

1. Read the question and write your own plan before reading the model.
2. Compare: did you take a clear position? Did you develop your ideas?
3. Pick five phrases or structures to reuse in different topics.
4. Write your own essay on the same question, then get feedback from our AI writing tool.