The topic of remote work has become increasingly prevalent in recent years, especially due to the global pandemic. As a result, questions related to working from home have started appearing more frequently in IELTS Writing Task 2. This trend is likely to continue in the future, making it an important subject for IELTS test-takers to prepare for.
One common question that has appeared in past IELTS exams and is likely to be seen again is:
Some people think that working from home should become a permanent option for employees. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Let’s analyze this question and provide sample essays for different band scores to help you understand how to approach this topic effectively.
Question Analysis
This question is asking for your opinion on whether working from home should be a permanent option for employees. The key points to consider are:
- The phrase “to what extent” indicates that you need to discuss how much you agree or disagree with the statement.
- You should consider both the advantages and disadvantages of working from home.
- Your essay should have a clear stance, either agreeing or disagreeing, but you can also present a balanced view if you partially agree.
Now, let’s look at sample essays for different band scores.
Sample Essay for Band 8
Working remotely has become increasingly popular in recent years, and many argue that it should be a permanent option for employees. I strongly agree with this view, as I believe the benefits of working from home outweigh the potential drawbacks for both employees and employers.
One of the primary advantages of remote work is the improved work-life balance it offers to employees. By eliminating commuting time, workers can allocate more hours to their personal lives, leading to reduced stress levels and increased job satisfaction. For instance, a study by Stanford University found that employees who worked from home reported higher productivity and lower attrition rates compared to their office-based counterparts. This demonstrates that flexible working arrangements can benefit both individuals and organizations.
Furthermore, allowing employees to work from home can result in significant cost savings for businesses. Companies can reduce their expenditure on office space, utilities, and other overhead costs associated with maintaining physical workplaces. These savings can be reinvested in employee development, technology upgrades, or other areas that contribute to the organization’s growth and competitiveness.
However, it is important to acknowledge that remote work may not be suitable for all industries or job roles. Some positions require physical presence or face-to-face interactions that cannot be replicated in a virtual environment. Additionally, some employees may struggle with isolation or lack of structure when working from home. To address these concerns, organizations could implement hybrid models that combine remote and in-office work, allowing for flexibility while maintaining social connections and collaborative opportunities.
In conclusion, I believe that offering remote work as a permanent option can lead to numerous benefits for both employees and employers. While challenges exist, they can be mitigated through careful planning and implementation of appropriate policies. By embracing this flexible approach to work, companies can create a more engaged, productive, and satisfied workforce while also adapting to the changing demands of the modern business landscape.
(Word count: 309)
Essay Analysis (Band 8)
This essay demonstrates excellent writing skills and would likely score a Band 8. Here’s why:
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Task Achievement: The essay fully addresses all parts of the task, presenting a clear position and developing it throughout the response.
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Coherence and Cohesion: The ideas are logically organized with clear progression. Paragraphs are well-linked, and cohesive devices are used effectively.
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Lexical Resource: The essay uses a wide range of vocabulary accurately and appropriately. Some examples include:
- “attrition rates”
- “flexible working arrangements”
- “overhead costs”
- “reinvested”
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Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay demonstrates a wide range of grammatical structures used accurately and appropriately. Complex sentences are used effectively, such as:
- “By eliminating commuting time, workers can allocate more hours to their personal lives, leading to reduced stress levels and increased job satisfaction.”
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Development and Support: Each main point is well-developed with relevant examples and explanations, such as the reference to the Stanford University study.
Sample Essay for Band 7
In recent years, the concept of working from home has gained significant popularity, and some argue that it should become a permanent option for employees. While I agree that remote work offers numerous benefits, I believe it should be implemented with caution and may not be suitable for all situations.
One of the main advantages of working from home is the flexibility it provides to employees. Without the need to commute, workers can save time and reduce stress, leading to a better work-life balance. For example, parents can spend more time with their children, and individuals can pursue personal interests or education alongside their work responsibilities. This flexibility can result in increased job satisfaction and productivity.
Moreover, remote work can be cost-effective for both employees and employers. Workers can save money on transportation and work-related expenses, while companies can reduce their overhead costs by maintaining smaller office spaces. This can be particularly beneficial for small businesses or startups with limited resources.
However, working from home also presents several challenges that need to be addressed. Some employees may struggle with isolation or lack of social interaction, which can negatively impact their mental health and team collaboration. Additionally, not all jobs can be performed effectively from home, especially those requiring specialized equipment or face-to-face interactions with customers.
To balance these factors, I believe that a hybrid model combining both remote and office work could be an effective solution. This approach would allow employees to enjoy the benefits of working from home while still maintaining regular in-person interactions with colleagues. Employers should assess each role individually to determine the most appropriate working arrangement.
In conclusion, while working from home offers significant advantages, it should not be implemented as a universal solution. A flexible approach that considers the needs of both employees and businesses is necessary to ensure productivity and job satisfaction in the modern workplace.
(Word count: 295)
Essay Analysis (Band 7)
This essay demonstrates good writing skills and would likely score a Band 7. Here’s why:
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Task Achievement: The essay addresses all parts of the task and presents a clear position, although the development is not as thorough as the Band 8 essay.
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Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is generally well-organized with clear progression. Paragraphs are linked, but the use of cohesive devices is not as sophisticated as in the Band 8 essay.
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Lexical Resource: The essay uses a good range of vocabulary, though not as wide as the Band 8 essay. Some examples include:
- “implemented with caution”
- “cost-effective”
- “overhead costs”
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Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures with generally good control. There are no significant errors, but the range is not as wide as in the Band 8 essay.
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Development and Support: Main points are supported with relevant ideas and examples, but the development is not as thorough as in the Band 8 essay.
Sample Essay for Band 6
Nowadays, many people think that working from home should be a permanent option for workers. I partly agree with this idea because it has both good and bad points.
One good thing about working from home is that it saves time and money. People don’t have to travel to work, so they can use that time for other things. Also, they don’t spend money on transport or buying lunch outside. This can make workers happier and less stressed.
Another advantage is that companies can save money on office space and electricity. They don’t need big offices if many people work from home. This is good for small businesses that don’t have much money.
However, working from home can be difficult for some people. They might feel lonely because they don’t see their coworkers every day. It can also be hard to separate work time from personal time when you’re always at home. Some jobs can’t be done from home, like jobs in factories or shops.
I think the best solution is to let people work from home sometimes, but not all the time. This way, workers can enjoy the benefits of working from home, but still go to the office to meet their colleagues and work together.
In conclusion, working from home has both good and bad points. It should be an option for workers, but it might not work for everyone or every job. Companies should think carefully about what is best for their workers and their business.
(Word count: 249)
Essay Analysis (Band 6)
This essay demonstrates adequate writing skills and would likely score a Band 6. Here’s why:
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Task Achievement: The essay addresses the task and presents a position, but the ideas are not fully developed.
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Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is organized logically, but paragraphing is not always effective. Basic cohesive devices are used, but not always accurately.
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Lexical Resource: The essay uses an adequate range of vocabulary, but there is limited precision. Some attempts at less common vocabulary are made, such as:
- “separate work time from personal time”
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Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are some errors. The range of structures is more limited compared to higher band scores.
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Development and Support: Main points are presented, but the supporting ideas and examples are general and not fully developed.
Key Vocabulary to Remember
- Remote work (noun) – /rɪˈməʊt wɜːk/ – Work done outside of a traditional office environment
- Flexibility (noun) – /ˌfleksəˈbɪləti/ – The ability to adapt to different situations
- Work-life balance (noun) – /wɜːk laɪf ˈbæləns/ – The division of time and focus between working and family or leisure activities
- Productivity (noun) – /ˌprɒdʌkˈtɪvəti/ – The effectiveness of productive effort
- Overhead costs (noun) – /ˈəʊvəhed kɒsts/ – The ongoing expenses of operating a business
- Collaboration (noun) – /kəˌlæbəˈreɪʃn/ – The action of working with someone to produce something
- Hybrid model (noun) – /ˈhaɪbrɪd ˈmɒdl/ – A combination of different elements or approaches
- Attrition rate (noun) – /əˈtrɪʃn reɪt/ – The rate at which employees leave a company
- Implementation (noun) – /ˌɪmplɪmenˈteɪʃn/ – The process of putting a decision or plan into effect
- Job satisfaction (noun) – /dʒɒb ˌsætɪsˈfækʃn/ – A measure of contentment with one’s job
In conclusion, the topic of working from home as a permanent option is likely to remain relevant in future IELTS exams. By understanding the different approaches for various band scores, you can better prepare for this type of question. Remember to practice writing essays on similar topics, such as should remote learning be a permanent option in education systems, to improve your skills. You can also consider topics related to how to promote environmental sustainability through education, as these often involve discussions about technology and changing work practices.
To further enhance your preparation, try writing your own essay on this topic and share it in the comments section below. This practice will help you apply the strategies and vocabulary discussed in this article, improving your chances of success in the IELTS Writing Task 2.