Question of the day

When you click on this post, imagine you’ve just sat down with your favorite drink, ready to sharpen your IELTS Writing skills. Today, we’re warming up your brain before diving into a real exam-style challenge. Think of this as stretching before a run — it gets your thoughts flowing and your creativity primed.

Your task? You’ll tackle an IELTS Writing Task 2 question in a formal tone, where you must decide how much you agree or disagree with the statement:

If people could choose between a life without working or a life spending too much time working, people would choose a life without work.

We’ll guide you through breaking down the prompt, clarifying your stance, and setting up a strong essay structure — so when the clock starts on test day, you’ll be ready to write with confidence.

Quick Outline

Before diving into your essay, let’s map out the road ahead. Think of this as your GPS: it helps you know where you’re going so you don’t get lost mid-writing.

• Question type: Opinion
• Topic: Work

Structure:

Introduction (2 sentences)

• Paraphrase the question: Restate the idea in your own words

E.g: Instead of repeating “life without working” and “spending too much time working,” -> use synonyms like “a work-free life” and “excessive working hours”

• Thesis statement: Clearly state your position (agree, disagree, or partial agreement).

Main Body Paragraph 1 (4–5 sentences)

• Main idea: Reason why people might prefer a life without work.
• Example: Stress reduction, more time for hobbies, improved mental health.
• Link: Show how this supports your thesis.

Main Body Paragraph 2 (4–5 sentences)

• Main idea: Counterpoint or another reason related to your stance (e.g., value of meaningful work, financial security).
• Example: Social interaction, sense of purpose.
• Link: Connect back to the question.

Conclusion (1 sentence)

• Restate your main idea in fresh words and reinforce your position.

When you have this mini-map, writing becomes smoother, faster, and more focused.

Sample Essay

It is often suggested that people would choose a life without work over one consumed by excessive labor. While freedom from work may seem appealing, I disagree with this notion due to the financial stability and personal fulfillment that careers provide.

Firstly, work is essential for economic survival. Most people rely on income to afford basic necessities, such as housing, food, and healthcare. Without employment, individuals would struggle to maintain their standard of living, let alone support their families. For example, in countries with limited social welfare systems, unemployment often leads to poverty, proving that few would willingly abandon work entirely. Thus, financial necessity makes a work-free life unrealistic for the majority.

Secondly, employment offers psychological benefits beyond monetary gain. Many people derive a sense of purpose and identity from their professions. Teachers, for instance, feel fulfilled when their students succeed, while engineers take pride in creating useful innovations. Without meaningful work, individuals might experience boredom or a lack of direction, as seen in cases where retirees struggle with sudden inactivity. This demonstrates that work contributes significantly to emotional well-being, making it preferable to idleness for many.

In conclusion, despite the allure of avoiding work, most people would not choose a work-free life due to its financial and emotional drawbacks. A balanced approach to employment remains the most sustainable solution.

(Word count: 220)

Analysis & Takeaways

1. Task Achievement

• Fully addresses the prompt by disagreeing with the idea that people prefer no work, offering two clear reasons (financial + emotional).
• Balanced argument acknowledges the appeal of no work ("freedom from work may seem appealing") but firmly refutes it.
• Relevant examples (teachers, engineers, retirees) strengthen the argument without digressing.

Key phrases to steal:

• "While freedom from work may seem appealing, I disagree..."
• "This demonstrates that..." (for linking examples to your point)

2. Coherence & Cohesion

• Logical flow: Each paragraph has one central idea, introduced by a topic sentence ("Firstly,..." / "Secondly,...").
• Clear linking words: "Thus," "For example," "Without meaningful work..." guide the reader smoothly.
• Conclusion mirrors the thesis without repetition ("despite the allure of avoiding work" paraphrases the introduction).

Sentence patterns to learn:

• "[Counterargument], but [your stance] because [reason]."(e.g., "While freedom from work may seem appealing, I disagree due to...")
• "Without [X], individuals would [consequence]."(e.g., "Without employment, individuals would struggle...")

Lexical Resource (Vocabulary)

• Synonyms avoid repetition: "excessive labor" (not "working too much"), "monetary gain" (not "money"), "derive a sense of purpose" (not "get happiness").
• Academic collocations:
  • "Economic survival" (not "money to live")
  • "Standard of living" (not "life quality")
  • "Emotional well-being" (not "happiness")

High-scoring phrases:

• "Consumed by excessive labor" (vivid alternative to "working too much")
• "Derive a sense of purpose" (formal way to say "find meaning")

4. Grammatical Range & Accuracy

• Complex sentences (e.g., "Without meaningful work, individuals might experience boredom, as seen in cases where...") show control.
• Conditional structures:
  • "Few would willingly abandon work if it meant poverty." (implied second conditional)
• Passive voice for objectivity: "Work is essential for economic survival" (not "People need work").

Grammar patterns to copy:

• "[Group] would struggle to [verb], let alone [more extreme action]."(e.g., "Individuals would struggle to maintain their standard of living, let alone support their families.")

Final Tip for IELTS Candidates:

The essay’s strength lies in precision—each sentence serves a purpose (argument, example, or link). To practice:

1. Memorize the bolded phrases above.
2. Imitate the sentence patterns in your own writing.
3. Always plan paragraph focus before writing (e.g., Body 1: money, Body 2: happiness).

This structure ensures a Band 7.5+ score for all criteria.

• Quick Practice Tip:

Rewrite this sentence using a synonym for "important" and a more academic phrase for "get happiness":"Work is important because it helps people get happiness."

Example answer:"Employment is essential as it enables individuals to derive fulfillment."

(Focus: Upgrading vocabulary + conciseness—key for IELTS Lexical Resource.)