Task 2 essay

IELTS Writing Task 2: Long working hours

Question type: Problems and solutions

The question

In many countries, people are working longer hours than ever before and have less free time.

What problems does this cause, and what can be done to solve them?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Write at least 250 words.

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How to approach it

Answer both parts: one paragraph on the problems, then at least one on solutions. Do not give your opinion on whether long hours are good.
Link each solution to a problem you described, and say who should act: governments, employers or individuals.
Explain how each solution would work. 'The government should do something' is not a solution.

Model essay

286 words (minimum 250). Written to show the features of a Band 8-level answer.

In many parts of the world, employees are spending more time at work than previous generations did, and their leisure time is shrinking as a result. This essay will examine the main problems this trend causes and suggest some ways of dealing with them.

The most serious consequence is the damage to people's health. Those who regularly work late have little time to exercise, cook proper meals or get enough sleep, and over time this can lead to exhaustion and stress-related illness. Family life suffers too. Parents who return home after their children have gone to bed miss out on an important part of their upbringing, and relationships between partners can become strained. Ironically, employers may not even benefit, since tired staff make more mistakes and are less productive.

There are several ways of tackling this problem. Governments can set a legal limit on weekly working hours and require companies to pay properly for overtime, which removes the incentive to overwork staff. Employers, for their part, can offer flexible hours or the option of working from home, so that time is not wasted on commuting. Some firms have even experimented with a shorter working week and reported that output did not fall.

Individuals also have a role to play. Switching off work emails in the evening and taking the full holiday allowance are simple steps, but they require a workplace culture in which leaving on time is not seen as a lack of commitment. Managers can set an example here.

In conclusion, long working hours harm health, family life and even productivity. A combination of sensible laws, flexible employers and a change in attitudes is needed to restore a healthier balance between work and free time.

Useful language from this answer

the most serious consequence is…: introducing the main problem
there are several ways of tackling this problem: moving from problems to solutions
…, for their part, can…: saying what a second group can do
have a role to play: saying someone shares the responsibility
a combination of … is needed: summarising several solutions in the conclusion

Common mistakes with this question

Writing three paragraphs of problems and one sentence of solutions. Both parts carry equal weight.
Suggesting solutions that do not match the problems you described.
Discussing why people work long hours. The question asks for problems and solutions, not causes.

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This model answer was written by TestWise Prep to show the features of a high-scoring answer. It is not official IELTS material. Use it for ideas and language, not to memorise.