Plan this problem and solution essay about society with the ideas and outline below, write it on a 40-minute timer, then compare it with a band-8 model answer.
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Write about the following topic:
Many people today feel that they have no free time for rest or hobbies, even though technology was meant to make life easier.
What are the causes of this problem and what measures could be taken to solve it?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Write at least 250 words.
GoPrep wrote this practice question in the style of the exam. It is not an official IELTS question.
Pick two or three points from one or both columns. You do not need all of them, and your own examples score better than memorised ones.
Spend the first few minutes planning, then write.
0 words of 250 minimum
Your answer stays on this page only. Copy it before you leave.
Write your own answer first, then compare: how it answers the exact question, what each paragraph does, and which phrases you could borrow.
Many people today feel they have no free time for rest or hobbies, even though technology was supposed to make life easier. This essay will examine the causes of this problem and suggest some solutions.
Several factors explain it. Technology has blurred the boundary between work and home. Smartphones and email mean that employees are expected to reply to messages in the evening and at weekends, so work seems never to end. Competitive economies and high living costs also push people to work longer hours or take second jobs. Commuting in large cities adds hours to the day, and household tasks and caring for children or elderly relatives take up what remains. Furthermore, technology itself consumes leisure time: people spend hours scrolling on social media or watching videos, which gives the impression of rest but often leaves them tired and distracted, with little time for activities that really refresh them.
There are practical solutions. Employers can set clear working hours and discourage out-of-hours emails, as France has done with its law on the right to disconnect, and they can offer flexible schedules or remote work to cut commuting time. Governments could encourage shorter working weeks or make childcare more affordable, so parents have more time for themselves. Individuals can also help by planning leisure as seriously as work, switching off notifications, limiting screen time and choosing active hobbies, such as sport, music or gardening, that give real satisfaction.
In conclusion, constant connectivity, long working hours, commuting and distracting technology reduce free time. Better workplace rules, supportive government policies and more conscious personal habits would help people to regain a balanced life.
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| work-life balance | healthy division of time between job and personal life |
| hectic schedule | very busy timetable |
| burnout | exhaustion caused by long stress |
| commute | regular journey to work |
| switch off | stop thinking about work |
| leisure time | free time for enjoyment |
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