Cambridge IELTS 19 Test 2 Writing Task 2: Sample Answer

Many employers still regard a five-day, forty-hour week as the natural rhythm of work. I strongly agree, however, that the working week should be shortened and that employees should enjoy a longer weekend, because the evidence suggests this would benefit both workers and the organisations that employ them.

The most compelling argument is that people are not machines, and output does not rise in proportion to hours worked. Beyond a certain point, fatigue leads to errors and distraction. Several trials of four-day weeks in Europe have reported that staff completed the same amount of work in less time, because they were better rested and wasted fewer hours on unnecessary meetings. Companies therefore lose little and sometimes gain, while also reducing sick leave and staff turnover.

A longer weekend would also improve personal wellbeing and family life. Parents could spend more time with their children, and people with caring responsibilities could attend appointments without taking unpaid leave. Regular time for exercise, hobbies and rest reduces stress and the risk of burnout, which is now a leading cause of long-term absence. Society as a whole would benefit from healthier citizens and less pressure on medical services. In addition, one fewer commuting day each week would mean lighter traffic and lower emissions.

Admittedly, not every sector can adapt easily. Hospitals, restaurants and emergency services must operate continuously, and some small businesses may struggle to cover the same opening hours with fewer staff. Nevertheless, these obstacles can be overcome by rotating shifts, hiring additional workers, or introducing the change gradually, rather than by rejecting reform altogether.

In conclusion, a shorter working week would make employees healthier and more productive, and it would strengthen family and community life. Governments and employers should therefore treat it as a sensible investment rather than a threat to profit.