Cambridge IELTS 14 Test 4 Writing Task 2: Self-Employment
Cambridge IELTS 14 · Test 4 · Academic Writing Task 2Two-part questionSociety
The question notes that many people now choose to be self-employed rather than work for a company or organisation. Candidates must answer two questions: why this might be the case, and what the disadvantages of being self-employed could be.
The question
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task. Nowadays many people choose to be self-employed, rather than to work for a company or organisation. Why might this be the case? What could be the disadvantages of being self-employed? Write at least 250 words.
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How to read the question
- This is a two-part question: you must answer both why people choose self-employment and what its disadvantages are, giving each part roughly equal development.
- The first question asks for reasons, so explain motives such as independence, flexibility, technology and job market changes; do not write about advantages in general without linking them to people's choices.
- The second question asks only for disadvantages, so do not add a section on solutions or on the advantages of working for a company.
- No opinion is required, but a clear introduction that tells the reader the essay will address both questions improves Task Response.
- Self-employed covers freelancers, sole traders and small business owners, so examples such as a freelance designer, a plumber or an online seller are all relevant.
- Avoid writing about unemployment or about companies' problems; the focus is on individuals who choose to work for themselves.
Suggested position
People are drawn to self-employment mainly by the independence and flexibility it offers, helped by technology and changes in the job market, but it brings financial insecurity, heavier responsibilities and the risk of isolation.
Paragraph plan
- 1
Introduction
Paraphrase the trend of more people working for themselves rather than for an employer, and state that the essay will explain the reasons and then the drawbacks.
- 2
Body paragraph 1: reasons for choosing self-employment
Explain the desire for independence and control over hours and projects, the role of technology and online platforms in making it easy to find clients, the shortage of secure jobs, and the hope of earning more by keeping the profits.
- 3
Body paragraph 2: disadvantages of self-employment
Explain irregular income and lack of guaranteed work, the absence of paid holidays, sick pay and employer pensions, the extra workload of finding clients, accounting and tax, and the loneliness of working without colleagues.
- 4
Conclusion
Summarise both answers: people choose self-employment mainly for freedom, but it involves less security and more responsibility, so it does not suit everyone.
Ideas and arguments
- Reason: independence, including choosing projects and not having to answer to a manager.
- Reason: flexible working hours that fit around family commitments or personal interests.
- Reason: the internet and online platforms make it easy for freelancers such as designers or translators to find clients worldwide.
- Reason: secure, well-paid jobs have become harder to find, so some people create their own work.
- Reason: the possibility of earning more by keeping the profits of one's own work.
- Disadvantage: unpredictable income and no guarantee of regular work.
- Disadvantage: no paid holidays, sick pay or employer pension contributions.
- Disadvantage: long hours spent on administration, marketing, accounts and tax, as well as isolation from colleagues.
Band 8+ model answer
310 words · An original model answer written for ieltswrites, not an official answer. It stays in English, as in the exam.
In many countries, a growing number of people are choosing to work for themselves instead of being employed by a company or organisation. This essay will explain why self-employment has become so attractive and then consider the drawbacks it can bring.
There are several reasons for this trend. The most important is probably the desire for independence. Self-employed people can decide which projects to accept, set their own hours and avoid answering to a manager, which many find more satisfying than working within a rigid hierarchy. Technology has also made it far easier to start a business: with a laptop and an internet connection, a graphic designer or translator can find clients anywhere in the world through online platforms. In addition, some people turn to self-employment because secure, well-paid jobs have become harder to find, while others hope to earn more by keeping the profits of their own work rather than receiving a fixed salary.
However, being self-employed also has significant disadvantages. The most serious is financial insecurity, since income can vary greatly from month to month and there is no guarantee of work. Self-employed people usually have no paid holidays or sick leave, and they must arrange their own pension, a benefit that employees in many countries receive automatically. Furthermore, running a business involves time-consuming tasks such as finding customers, keeping accounts and paying taxes, so the working week is often longer than in a regular job. Finally, working alone can be isolating, as there are no colleagues with whom to share ideas or who can offer support during difficult periods.
In conclusion, people choose self-employment mainly for the freedom it offers, helped by technology and changes in the job market. Nevertheless, this freedom comes at the cost of less security, heavier responsibilities and, for some, a sense of isolation, so it is not the right choice for everyone.
Why this answer scores highly
- Task Response
- Both questions are answered fully in separate paragraphs, each with several relevant, well-explained points and concrete examples such as freelance designers and translators using online platforms.
- Coherence and Cohesion
- The introduction signals the structure, each body paragraph begins with a clear topic sentence, and sequencing devices such as the most important, in addition, furthermore and finally organise the ideas logically.
- Lexical Resource
- The essay uses precise work-related vocabulary such as rigid hierarchy, financial insecurity, sick leave and pension, and paraphrases self-employment in several ways to avoid repetition.
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy
- A range of structures, including relative clauses, passive forms, present perfect for recent trends and complex sentences with since, while and so, is used accurately throughout.
Useful vocabulary
- self-employed
- working for yourself rather than being employed by a company
- freelancer
- a person who works for different clients on separate projects
- be one's own boss
- work for yourself, without a manager
- flexible working hours
- a schedule that the worker can choose and change
- job security
- confidence that you will keep your job and income
- irregular income
- earnings that change a lot from month to month
- employee benefits
- extras provided by employers, such as paid holidays, sick pay and pensions
- sick leave
- time off work because of illness, often paid by an employer
- administrative burden
- the extra time and effort needed for paperwork, accounts and tax
- rigid hierarchy
- a strict system of ranks in an organisation
- online platforms
- websites and apps that connect workers with customers
- professional isolation
- the feeling of working alone without colleagues for support
- financial insecurity
- uncertainty about whether you will have enough money
Common mistakes
- Answering only one of the two questions, or spending almost the whole essay on the reasons and only one sentence on the disadvantages.
- Writing about the advantages of being self-employed in general instead of explaining why people choose it.
- Adding a paragraph on the advantages of working for a company or on solutions, which the question does not ask for.
- Giving a list of short reasons and disadvantages without explaining them or giving examples.
- Treating self-employment as the same as unemployment, or writing mainly about people who have lost their jobs.
- Repeating self-employed in every sentence instead of using alternatives such as working for oneself, freelancing and running one's own business.
Frequently asked questions
- Which Cambridge book is this question from?
- This question about why people choose self-employment and its disadvantages is Writing Task 2 of Test 4 in Cambridge IELTS 14 Academic, published in 2019.
- Do I need to give my opinion in this essay?
- No. The question asks two direct questions, so you should answer both clearly. A brief evaluative comment in the conclusion is acceptable but not required.
- Should I write about the advantages of self-employment?
- Only as reasons why people choose it. The second question asks only for disadvantages, so do not add a separate section on benefits or solutions.
- How many words should I write for this Task 2?
- Write at least 250 words; around 270-310 words, with one body paragraph for each question, is enough to answer both parts fully.
Free and timed, with a live word count, just like the computer-delivered test. Then get an instant AI band score.
The exam simulator runs on a computer. Open this page on a laptop or desktop to practise.