Introduction
The role of women in the workforce is a recurring and high-stakes theme in IELTS Writing Task 2. Examiners like it because it tests your ability to balance social, economic and cultural perspectives, and it requires precise argumentation, strong examples and academic vocabulary. In this guide, you will learn how to handle this topic using three full-length sample essays (Band 5-6, 6.5-7, and 8-9), complete with scoring analysis, vocabulary, and high-scoring structures you can copy. You will also see key pitfalls and a step-by-step strategy to plan a clear, persuasive essay under time pressure.
Verified past exam questions on this topic include:
- Reported by IELTS-Blog.com: “In many countries, women are now working full-time jobs; therefore, it is logical for men and women to share household tasks equally. To what extent do you agree or disagree?”
- Featured on IELTS Liz and reported by test-takers: “Some people think women should be able to join the army, police and military just like men, while others believe women are less suitable for these jobs. Discuss both views and give your opinion.”
- Reported by IELTS-Blog.com: “Despite more women working than ever before, there are still few women in senior positions. What are the causes? What measures could be taken?”
For context on how society has evolved around this topic, you may find it helpful to review trends in the Changing role of women in society.
1. Question & Analysis
In many countries, women are now working full-time jobs; therefore, it is logical for men and women to share household tasks equally. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
- Question type: Opinion (Agree/Disagree). You must present a clear position and support it throughout.
- Requirements: Address both the workplace participation of women and the implication for sharing domestic labor. Explain the logic, not just the trend.
- Key terms:
- “logical” = reasonable/justified based on current realities
- “share household tasks equally” = equal distribution of unpaid domestic work (cooking, cleaning, childcare)
- Common pitfalls:
- Only describing gender equality without linking it to “full-time jobs” and “logic”
- Over-generalizing across cultures with no nuanced reasoning
- Providing purely moral arguments without practical solutions or caveats
- Strategic approach:
- Decide your stance: full agreement, partial agreement (context-dependent), or disagreement.
- Build 2 body paragraphs: P1 explain why equality at work implies equality at home; P2 acknowledge constraints (e.g., shift work, childcare ages) and propose flexible fairness (not always 50/50, but equitable).
- Use specific examples (e.g., flexible schedules, shared parental leave).
- Conclude by reaffirming your position and conditions.
IELTS Writing Task 2 analysis on the role of women in the workforce
2. Band 8-9 Sample Essay
A Band 8-9 response presents a clear stance, fully extends and supports ideas, and uses precise vocabulary and flexible grammar.
Essay (298 words)
Modern economies depend on women’s full participation in paid work; therefore, it is reasonable and necessary that domestic labor is shared more equally. I largely agree that equal employment logically entails a fair division of household tasks, though what “equal” looks like may vary with schedules and life stages.
First, the old assumption that women shoulder unpaid work arose when most were homemakers. Today, however, dual-income households are the norm in many cities. If both partners contribute comparable hours to the labor market, persisting with a one-sided domestic burden is neither efficient nor just. Research consistently shows that sharing chores reduces burnout and improves well-being, relationship stability and children’s outcomes. Moreover, when men cook, clean, and care for children, they gain skills that challenge stereotypes and help their daughters model ambition beyond the home.
That said, equality should not be misconstrued as a rigid 50/50 split every week. Work patterns differ: one partner might work night shifts, commute long distances, or face seasonal overtime. In such cases, the fair approach is equity over arithmetic equality, with tasks adjusted to reflect available time and energy. Crucially, this flexibility should be negotiated openly rather than assumed. Policies like paid parental leave for both parents, affordable childcare, and flexible hours enable households to implement fairness in practice, instead of leaving the default burden on women.
In conclusion, as women engage in full-time employment, it is logical—and beneficial—for households to distribute domestic responsibilities more evenly. While the precise split should reflect real-life constraints, the principle is clear: shared work at the office must be mirrored by shared work at home.
Band Score Analysis
| Criteria | Band | Justification |
|---|---|---|
| Task Response | 8.5 | Clear stance, fully developed with nuanced caveat (equity vs equality). Relevant examples and policy angle enhance depth. |
| Coherence & Cohesion | 8.0 | Logical progression, clear topic sentences, cohesive devices used naturally. No mechanical over-linking. |
| Lexical Resource | 8.5 | Precise lexis: “dual-income,” “arithmetic equality,” “burnout,” “stereotypes,” “paid parental leave.” Strong collocations used accurately. |
| Grammatical Range & Accuracy | 8.0 | Variety of complex structures, minimal errors, flexible control of subordination and nominalization. |
Why this essay excels:
- Maintains a consistent position with a nuanced definition of fairness.
- Uses cause–effect logic and evidence-informed claims.
- Balances principle (justice) with practice (schedules, policy).
- Employs high-level cohesive devices without repetition.
- Integrates precise topic vocabulary and academic collocations.
- Demonstrates flexible sentence structures and parallelism.
For learners exploring economic angles of independence, consider how household equity supports the long-term importance of financial independence for women.
3. Band 6.5-7 Sample Essay
A Band 6.5-7 response is generally clear, relevant, and organized, with some uneven development or occasional imprecision in vocabulary/grammar.
Essay (264 words)
It is common now that women work full-time, and many people argue that this means men and women should share housework equally. I agree in principle, although I believe the exact division should depend on each family’s situation.
To begin with, full-time jobs consume energy and time for both partners. If the woman returns home after eight or nine hours, it is unfair to expect her to do most chores. Sharing cooking, cleaning and childcare not only lowers stress but also teaches children that both genders can handle responsibilities. In addition, when men participate at home, women do not have to sacrifice their career goals, and both adults can enjoy a healthier work-life balance.
However, perfect equality is not always practical. Sometimes one partner has a more demanding schedule, or one person may be better at certain tasks, such as managing finances or repairing small household problems. In those cases, a flexible plan is better than a strict 50/50 split. What matters is open communication and a sense of fairness, not exact numbers. Governments and employers can help by offering flexible working hours and parental leave for both mothers and fathers, which makes it easier for families to cooperate.
In conclusion, equal participation in the workforce should lead to more equal responsibilities at home. While I support sharing housework, I also think each couple should decide the most reasonable arrangement based on their time, skills and preferences.
Band Score Analysis
| Criteria | Band | Justification |
|---|---|---|
| Task Response | 7.0 | Clear opinion, generally well-developed with examples, minor generalization. |
| Coherence & Cohesion | 7.0 | Logical paragraphing and linking; some ideas could be extended further. |
| Lexical Resource | 6.5 | Appropriate topic vocabulary; occasional safe word choice and repetition. |
| Grammatical Range & Accuracy | 6.5 | Mix of simple and complex sentences; a few minor slips and limited variety. |
Direct comparison with Band 8-9:
- Precision: Band 8-9 uses “equity vs arithmetic equality”; Band 6.5-7 uses “flexible plan” (less precise).
- Evidence: Band 8-9 references outcomes (burnout, stability); Band 6.5-7 is more general.
- Policy detail: Band 8-9 specifies “paid parental leave”; Band 6.5-7 mentions “parental leave” broadly.
- Cohesion: Band 8-9 integrates caveats smoothly; Band 6.5-7 separates them more simply.
- Range: Band 8-9 uses advanced collocations; Band 6.5-7 repeats common verbs (share, help).
A related angle many students discuss in body paragraphs is how social expectations influence careers; for broader context, see the impact of gender roles on professional choices.
Band 7 IELTS essay structure on the role of women in the workforce
4. Band 5-6 Sample Essay
A Band 5-6 response addresses the task but may be underdeveloped, repetitive, and show noticeable language errors.
Essay (258 words)
Nowadays women are working full-time, so many people think men should also do housework equal. I mostly agree with that idea, but I also feel that every family is different.
Firstly, when both husband and wife are busy in their jobs, it is not logic to put all chores on the woman. If men share cooking and cleaning, the home life will be more relax and arguments will be less. Also, children can see that father can also care for them, not only mother. This will change old fashion ideas about gender.
On the other hand, I do not think every couple must split everything 50-50. Sometimes one person has a heavy works or long commute, so the other partner can do more on weekdays and then change at weekend. Also, people have different skills. For example, a wife might be better at finance and do all of budget, while the husband is good at fixing things. This is still fair even if it is not equal in numbers.
To conclude, since women have jobs like men, men should help in housework. But it must be flexible and decided by discussion, not a strict rule.
Band Score Analysis
| Criteria | Band | Justification |
|---|---|---|
| Task Response | 6.0 | Addresses the question with a clear position; development is basic and somewhat repetitive. |
| Coherence & Cohesion | 6.0 | Logical overall structure; limited cohesion within paragraphs; simple linking. |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 | Some topic words used; several inaccurate or awkward phrases. |
| Grammatical Range & Accuracy | 5.5 | Frequent errors with articles, plurality, and word forms; limited complex structures. |
Error analysis and corrections:
| Mistake | Correction | Note |
|——–|————|——|
| not logic | not logical | Adjective needed |
| more relax | more relaxed | Past participle adjective |
| old fashion ideas | old-fashioned ideas | Compound adjective |
| a heavy works | a heavy workload / heavy work | Uncountable noun |
| do all of budget | do all the budgeting | Gerund noun |
| men should also do housework equal | men should also do housework equally | Adverb form |
How to improve from Band 6 to 7:
- Upgrade precision: replace “help in housework” with “share domestic responsibilities.”
- Expand examples: add one concrete policy or real-life scenario (e.g., shared parental leave, flexible shifts).
- Correct word forms and collocations consistently.
- Vary sentence structures: include non-defining relative clauses and conditionals.
5. Essential Vocabulary for The role of women in the workforce
| Word/Phrase | Type | Pronunciation | Definition | Example and Collocations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| dual-income household | n. phrase | /ˌduːəl ˈɪnkʌm/ | Family with two earners | Dual-income households often share chores more evenly. |
| unpaid domestic labor | n. phrase | /ʌnˈpeɪd dəˈmɛstɪk ˈleɪbə/ | Housework and caregiving without pay | Reduce unpaid domestic labor; redistribute tasks |
| parental leave | n. | /pəˈrɛnt(ə)l liːv/ | Time off for childcare | Paid parental leave; shared parental leave |
| caregiver burden | n. | /ˈkeəˌɡɪvə ˈbɜːdn/ | Stress from caregiving duties | Reduce caregiver burden; mitigate burden |
| glass ceiling | n. | /ˌɡlɑːs ˈsiːlɪŋ/ | Invisible barrier to promotion | Break the glass ceiling; encounter a glass ceiling |
| equitable division | n. | /ˈɛkwɪtəb(ə)l dɪˈvɪʒən/ | Fair distribution based on need | Achieve an equitable division of labor |
| work–life balance | n. | /wɜːk laɪf ˈbæl(ə)ns/ | Balance between job and personal life | Improve work–life balance |
| entrenched stereotype | n. | /ɪnˈtrɛntʃt ˈstɛrɪətaɪp/ | Deeply fixed belief | Challenge entrenched stereotypes |
| flexible scheduling | n. | /ˈflɛksəb(ə)l ˈʃɛdjuːlɪŋ/ | Adjustable working hours | Introduce flexible scheduling |
| allocate chores | v. phrase | /ˈæl.ə.keɪt tʃɔːz/ | Distribute tasks | Allocate chores according to time |
| to a large extent | phrase | /tuː ə lɑːdʒ ɪkˈstɛnt/ | Mostly | I agree to a large extent. |
| on the one hand… | phrase | /ɒn ðə wʌn hænd/ | Introduce one side | On the one hand, sharing reduces stress. |
| conversely | adv. | /ˈkɒnvɜːsli/ | In contrast | Conversely, rigid splits may fail. |
| equitable vs equal | phrase | /ˈɛkwɪtəb(ə)l vɜːs ˈiːkwəl/ | Fair vs identical | Aim for equitable, not always equal, shares. |
| redistribute | v. | /ˌriːdɪˈstrɪbjuːt/ | Share out again differently | Redistribute household responsibilities |
For students aiming at STEM-related angles in examples, consider workforce demands and the importance of women in STEM fields.
6. High-Scoring Sentence Structures
- Complex subordination
- Formula: Although/While + clause, main clause
- Example: “While dual-income households are common, persisting with a one-sided domestic burden is neither efficient nor just.”
- Why it scores well: Concession adds nuance; precise adjectives strengthen stance.
- More examples:
- Although schedules vary, fairness should remain non-negotiable.
- While childcare is demanding, it should not default to women.
- Common mistakes: Missing comma after subordinate clause; using “despite” with a full clause.
- Non-defining relative clauses
- Formula: Noun, which + verb, main clause
- Example: “Policies like paid parental leave, which enable households to implement fairness, are essential.”
- Why: Adds extra information smoothly.
- More examples:
- Career breaks, which often affect women disproportionately, must be addressed.
- Flexible hours, which many companies now offer, can reduce stress.
- Mistakes: Omitting commas; using “that” instead of “which.”
- Participle phrases
- Formula: -ing/-ed phrase, main clause
- Example: “Challenging stereotypes, fathers who share childcare model equality.”
- Why: Compact, advanced style.
- More:
- Recognizing time constraints, couples can rotate chores.
- Influenced by tradition, some families resist change.
- Mistakes: Dangling modifiers; unclear subjects.
- Cleft sentences
- Formula: It + be + focus + that/who + clause
- Example: “It is the principle of equity that should guide domestic arrangements.”
- Why: Emphasis clarifies the main idea.
- More:
- It is shared responsibility that reduces burnout.
- It is policy support that turns ideals into reality.
- Mistakes: Overuse leading to unnatural emphasis.
- Advanced conditionals
- Formula: If + past simple, would + base verb (unreal); If + should, inversion
- Example: “If employers offered flexible hours, families would implement fairer divisions.”
- Why: Shows hypothetical reasoning.
- More:
- Were childcare affordable, participation rates would rise.
- Should one partner’s workload increase, the other could adjust chores.
- Mistakes: Tense errors; mixing first and second conditionals.
- Inversion for emphasis
- Formula: Only + adverbial + auxiliary + subject + verb
- Example: “Only when domestic work is shared can equality at work be sustained.”
- Why: Advanced emphasis; formal tone.
- More:
- Not until leave policies change will behavior change.
- Rarely do couples thrive when one partner is overloaded.
- Mistakes: Incorrect auxiliary placement; using inversion in casual contexts.
High-scoring sentence structures for IELTS essays on women in the workforce
7. Self-Assessment Checklist
Before writing
- Identify question type (opinion, discussion, causes/solutions).
- Decide your stance and 2 main reasons.
- Note 1-2 specific examples or policies (e.g., shared parental leave).
While writing
- Begin with a clear thesis (“I agree… to a large extent”).
- One idea per paragraph; topic sentences first.
- Use precise vocabulary (equitable division, redistribute, caregiver burden).
After writing
- Check word count (250+). Remove repetition.
- Replace vague words (help, good) with specific verbs/collocations.
- Fix word forms and articles (logical, relaxed, workload).
Time management tips
- Planning: 5 minutes
- Writing: 30 minutes
- Editing: 5 minutes
- If stuck, write the clearest paragraph first; return to introduction last.
For readers who want to connect household equity to career mobility, a useful extension is the importance of women in STEM fields.
Conclusion
Key takeaways: The role of women in the workforce often leads exam questions to test your ability to argue for fair domestic arrangements, challenge stereotypes, and propose realistic policies. To progress from Band 6 to 7 and beyond, focus on precise lexis (equity vs equality), cohesive paragraphing, and advanced structures (inversion, clefts, participles). Improvement happens with deliberate practice: write one essay every two days, analyze weaknesses, and revise using the checklists above. Most learners can raise their Task 2 score by 0.5–1 band in 8–12 weeks with consistent feedback.
To deepen your understanding of long-term financial outcomes, you can explore the importance of financial independence for women. Finally, sustained change begins in schools and training programs; for policy-focused examples and ideas, see the role of education in fostering gender equality.
Practice now: Write your own response to the selected question, apply the sentence patterns, and share it with peers or teachers for targeted feedback.
