General Task 2 · Advantages / disadvantages
Working four longer days
An original IELTS practice question with a planning route and a sample answer to learn from.
Aim for at least 250 words in about 40 minutes. Suggested practice level: intermediate, not a predicted band.
Your writing task
Some employers allow staff to complete the same weekly working hours over four longer days instead of five shorter days. Do the advantages of this arrangement outweigh the disadvantages?
How to approach this question
Develop both benefits and drawbacks. If asked whether one outweighs the other, compare their importance and decide.
Advantages and disadvantages: learn how to weigh the two sides →
Work essays: distinguish location, weekly hours and career length →
Benefit: one fewer commute could free up a whole day for appointments or family responsibilities. The question keeps total hours unchanged, so do not claim fewer working hours.
Drawback: longer shifts may be tiring and may conflict with childcare or customer-service needs. Weigh the effects for different jobs before deciding which side is stronger.
These are possible directions, not required opinions or facts to memorise. Develop your own response and check every claim against the task.
A possible plan
- Introduction: identify the development and state whether its advantages outweigh its disadvantages if asked.
- Body 1: develop the strongest advantages with examples.
- Body 2: examine the disadvantages and compare their importance with the benefits.
- Conclusion: give an explicit overall judgement, not just a list of both sides.
Vocabulary you can use precisely
Choose language that fits your meaning. You do not need to include every phrase.
- compressed schedule
- An arrangement that fits the same working hours into fewer days.
A compressed schedule can reduce the number of weekly commutes.
- extended shifts
- Work periods that last longer than the usual daily schedule.
Extended shifts may be difficult for staff with evening responsibilities.
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