Working from Home: Advantages and Disadvantages
A complete IELTS General Training Writing Task 2 question with a model answer of 303 words, plus a breakdown of the sentence structures, cohesive devices and vocabulary that answer uses. Write your own version first, then compare.
Written by Manish Sharma · CELTA and DELTA qualified · 8 years teaching IELTS
Score my answer to this questionThe question
You have 40 minutes. Write at least 250 words.
In many countries, people are now working from home rather than travelling to an office every day. Do the advantages of working from home outweigh the disadvantages? Write at least 250 words.
How to approach it
- 01Clearly structure your essay: advantages in one paragraph, disadvantages in another
- 02Use specific examples and evidence rather than generalisations
- 03Show nuance — acknowledge that the answer may vary for different groups
- 04Use advanced cohesive devices: 'nevertheless', 'furthermore', 'on balance'
- 05Ensure your conclusion directly answers the question posed in the prompt
Model answer
303 words in 5 paragraphs. Read it after you have written your own, not before: the point of a model answer is to show you what you missed, and you cannot miss anything you have not attempted.
The shift towards remote working, accelerated dramatically by the global pandemic, has fundamentally altered how millions of people approach their professional lives. While working from home offers undeniable benefits, I believe that whether the advantages outweigh the disadvantages depends largely on the nature of the job and the individual's circumstances, though on balance the benefits are considerable.
The advantages of remote working are substantial and well-documented. Employees save significant time and money by eliminating daily commutes — in major cities, this can amount to two or three hours and considerable expense each day. This time can be redirected towards exercise, family, or personal development, contributing to improved wellbeing. Furthermore, many workers report higher productivity at home, free from the interruptions and noise of open-plan offices. For employers, remote work reduces overheads for office space and allows access to a wider talent pool unconstrained by geography.
However, the disadvantages should not be underestimated. Social isolation is a genuine concern, as casual workplace interactions play an important role in both mental health and professional development. Junior employees, in particular, may miss out on the mentorship and observational learning that occurs naturally in a shared office environment. Additionally, the blurring of boundaries between work and personal life can lead to longer working hours and eventual burnout. Not everyone has a suitable home environment for focused work — those in small flats or with young children may find remote work especially challenging.
Nevertheless, many of these disadvantages can be mitigated through hybrid models that combine the flexibility of home working with regular in-person collaboration. Companies that invest in structured social events, clear communication protocols, and home-office stipends can retain the benefits while minimising the drawbacks.
In conclusion, the advantages of working from home generally outweigh the disadvantages, particularly when organisations adopt thoughtful hybrid arrangements rather than an all-or-nothing approach.
What this answer actually does
Measured from the text above, and compared against the other 69 answers of the same type in this library. These are counts, not band scores: they describe what the writing does, which is the part you can copy.
12 more than the median answer for this task type
7 words at the shortest, 35 at the longest
4 more than the median answer for this task type
carry a subordinate or relative clause
Sentence rhythm
Sentences average 20.2 words and vary by 6.5 words either side of that, running from 7 words to 35. Variation is the point. Grammatical Range and Accuracy rewards a mix of simple and complex sentences, and an answer where every sentence is the same length reads as flat no matter how correct it is. 4 of the 15 sentences here carry a subordinate or relative clause.
The cohesive devices it uses
10 in total, spread across 4 different functions. Range matters more than count: an answer that opens every paragraph with a sequencer signals its structure but never signals a relationship between ideas, and Coherence and Cohesion is marked on both.
nevertheless, however, though, while
additionally, furthermore
in particular
in conclusion, on balance
Vocabulary and repetition
Ignoring grammar words, 81 per cent of the content words in this answer are distinct, and 70 per cent appear exactly once. Lexical Resource is where repetition costs the most marks, and the usual cause is not a small vocabulary but reaching for the same noun every time the topic is named.
The longest run of words copied straight from the question is 6 words. Examiners discount wording lifted from the question, so a short run here is the right outcome: the answer restates the topic in its own words rather than borrowing the question's.
What you are marked on
All four criteria carry equal weight, and your Writing band is their average rounded to the nearest half band.
Task Response
Directly address whether advantages outweigh disadvantages with a clear conclusion
Coherence & Cohesion
Logical structure with effective use of cohesive devices
Lexical Resource
Sophisticated vocabulary with precise and varied word choice
Grammatical Range & Accuracy
Complex grammatical structures used flexibly and accurately
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