Plan this advantages and disadvantages 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:
In some countries, it is becoming more common for adults to wear casual clothes to work instead of formal clothing.
Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?
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.
In some countries, it is becoming more common for adults to wear casual clothes to work instead of formal clothing. I believe that the advantages of this trend outweigh the disadvantages.
The main advantage is comfort and morale. Employees who can wear jeans or a simple shirt generally feel more relaxed, and this can improve concentration and job satisfaction, especially in hot climates or in jobs that involve physical movement. Casual dress also saves money, since staff do not need to buy and clean expensive suits. It can create a more open and friendly atmosphere, in which hierarchy feels less rigid and junior workers are more willing to talk to senior managers. Technology companies in Silicon Valley, where founders often wear T-shirts, have shown that a relaxed dress code can go together with creativity and success. For employers, it can also be a free benefit that helps them to attract and keep talented staff.
On the other hand, there are drawbacks. In some professions, such as law, banking and customer service, formal clothing conveys professionalism and builds the trust of clients, who may doubt the seriousness of an adviser in torn jeans. Without clear standards, some employees may dress inappropriately, and a lack of any uniform may make it harder to separate working life from leisure time, which could reduce discipline. Staff with limited budgets may also feel pressure to keep up with fashionable casual clothes.
These problems can be solved by setting clear guidelines. Companies might allow casual clothing in general while requiring formal dress for meetings with clients.
In conclusion, casual clothing increases comfort and workplace morale, and with sensible guidelines its disadvantages can be controlled. I therefore consider the trend largely positive.
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| dress code | rules about what to wear |
| smart casual | neat but not formal clothing |
| professional image | the impression a worker gives of competence |
| boost morale | raise the mood and confidence of staff |
| office etiquette | accepted behaviour at work |
| be perceived as | be seen as |
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