Academic Task 2 · Advantages / disadvantages
Remote work and society
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
In many countries, working from home is becoming increasingly common. Do the advantages of this development 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 →
Advantage: removing a commute gives workers time for rest or caring responsibilities. Explain who benefits rather than assuming every job can be done remotely.
Disadvantage: new employees may miss informal guidance. Compare that cost with the benefits and consider whether mentoring or occasional office days would help.
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.
- flexible working arrangements
- Ways of working that allow some choice of time or place.
Flexible working arrangements can make a long commute less frequent.
- professional isolation
- A feeling of being separated from colleagues and workplace support.
Regular mentoring may reduce professional isolation among new staff.
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