This is an IELTS Cambridge 14 Sample Answer for task 2 writing from a real past past on the topic of work and self-employment.

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Regardless of the country where you are currently living, this is probably a really pertinent question. It seems that everyone wants their own business – me included!

Read on to see how I dealt with it as well as for some vocabulary, pronunciation, grammar activities and more!

If you need some review on structures your can read about IELTS Task 2 Writing structure here.

Here are some other IELTS Task 2 Writing Sample Answers that I wrote!

Keep up the good work!

Dave

IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer: Self-Employment (IELTS Cambridge 14)

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?

An increasing number of people today are opting to start their own companies instead of working for a company mainly because of the increased support for young entrepreneurs. In my opinion, the main disadvantages of not having an employer are lack of expertise and its overall effect on businesses.

The number of self-employed is related to young entrepreneurs and has its origin in widespread angel investment across a variety of industries. One well-known example of this can be seen on the popular show ‘Shark Tank,’ where a panel of investors and executives hear product pitches and compete to purchase stakes in budding entrepreneurs’ businesses. This show has launched a number of successful products by securing initial funding, which has led to a trickle down effect from this show: not only has it turned specific dreams into realities but it also encourages viewers in general to be more ambitious and has therefore been one of the main catalysts for the frenzy of self-run businesses popping up in recent years.

Though there are undoubtedly positives to all these start-up companies, I think that the overall impact is negative because it results in many poorly run businesses. For example, in recent years a number of ride-sharing apps including Uber, Grab, Lyft, Be, Go-Viet and countless others have sprung up. The established companies provide a functioning app with high-quality service to meet the growing demands of this industry. However, the majority of small start-ups find themselves in over their heads with apps that barely function and driver shortages that specialise in inconveniencing customers. It would be better for the people starting these derivative businesses to either work in companies, gain valuable experience, look for gaps in the market, and then develop develop worthy competitors or simply be content to have a good job in a good company that they do not own.

In conclusion, I feel that the rising number of new companies has led to a cult of overconfidence. If more people were satisfied working for others rather than pursuing unrealisable ambitions, this would likely lead to better consumer products across the board as well as increased national economic prosperity.

IELTS Examiner Sample Answer Analysis

1. An increasing number of people today are opting to start their own companies instead of working for a company mainly because of the increased support for young entrepreneurs. 2. In my opinion, the main disadvantages of not having an employer are lack of expertise and its overall effect on businesses.

1. The first sentence paraphrases the essay topic. This sentence is relatively unimportant so write it as fast your pen/pencil can fly!

2. My second sentence states my opinion – always have a CLEAR opinion or you risk getting band 5 for task achievement…

1. The number of self-employed is related to young entrepreneurs and has its origin in widespread angel investment across a variety of industries. 2. One well-known example of this can be seen on the popular show ‘Shark Tank,’ where a panel of investors and executives hear product pitches and compete to purchase stakes in budding entrepreneurs’ businesses. 3. This show has launched a number of successful products by securing initial funding, which has led to a trickle down effect from this show: not only has it turned specific dreams into realities but it also encourages viewers in general to be more ambitious and has therefore been one of the main catalysts for the frenzy of self-run businesses popping up in recent years.

1. My first sentence is a topic sentence that gives the main idea for the paragraph: investment has led to more entrepreneurs. 

2. My second sentence begins my example. Don’t waste any time getting to your example as it is all that really matters for your task achievement score!

3. The third sentence further develops and connects the example to my main idea. Usually I write longer paragraphs (and shorter sentences) but there are always exceptions! Aim for about 4 – 5 sentences per paragraph for your writing.

1. Though there are undoubtedly positives to all these start-up companies, I think that the overall impact is negative because it results in many poorly run businesses. 2. For example, in recent years a number of ride-sharing apps including Uber, Grab, Lyft, Be, Go-Viet and countless others have sprung up. 3. The established companies provide a functioning app with high-quality service to meet the growing demands of this industry. 4. However, the majority of small start-ups find themselves in over their heads with apps that barely function and driver shortages that specialise in inconveniencing customers. 5. It would be better for the people starting these derivative businesses to either work in companies, gain valuable experience, look for gaps in the market, and then develop develop worthy competitors or simply be content to have a good job in a good company that they do not own.

1. The first sentence is another topic sentence with the idea for the paragraph: this development is bad because it results in bad businesses.

2. My second sentence again begins my example right away.

3. The third sentence continues to develop the example. Don’t run away from your examples – take some time to date them!

4. My fourth sentence also continues the same example. Notice all the great vocabulary that comes out of a specific, detailed example!

5. My fifth sentence focuses on the effect of the example and relates it back to my main idea.

1. In conclusion, I feel that the rising number of new companies has led to a cult of overconfidence. 2. If more people were satisfied working for others rather than pursuing unrealisable ambitions, this would likely lead to better consumer products across the board as well as increased national economic prosperity.

1. My first sentence states my opinion for the second time and my main reason why: overconfidence.

2. I finish the essay with a suggestion for how to encourage this in the future. Be sure to have some extra detail/suggestion at the end of your writing beyond just a summary of your opinion!

Sample Answer Vocabulary

Try to figure out what the words in bold below mean. Don’t use a dictionary at first! See if you can write your own definition based on the sentence and then check in a dictionary. Guess if you have to but don’t cheat even if you want to!

An increasing number of people today are opting to start their own companies instead of working for a company mainly because of the increased support for young entrepreneurs. In my opinion, the main disadvantages of not having an employer are lack of expertise and its overall effect on businesses.

The number of self-employed is related to young entrepreneurs and has its origin in widespread angel investment across a variety of industries. One well-known example of this can be seen on the popular show ‘Shark Tank,’ where a panel of investors and executives hear product pitches and compete to purchase stakes in budding entrepreneurs’ businesses. This show has launched a number of successful products by securing initial funding, which has led to a trickle down effect from this show: not only has it turned specific dreams into realities but it also encourages viewers in general to be more ambitious and has therefore been one of the main catalysts for the frenzy of self-run businesses popping up in recent years.

Though there are undoubtedly positives to all these start-up companies, I think that the overall impact is negative because it results in many poorly run businesses. For example, in recent years a number of ride-sharing apps including Uber, Grab, Lyft, Be, Go-Viet and countless others have sprung up. The established companies provide a functioning app with high-quality service to meet the growing demands of this industry. However, the majority of small start-ups find themselves in over their heads with apps that barely function and driver shortages that specialise in inconveniencing customers. It would be better for the people starting these derivative businesses to either work in companies, gain valuable experience, look for gaps in the market, and then develop develop worthy competitors or simply be content to have a good job in a good company that they do not own.

In conclusion, I feel that the rising number of new companies has led to a cult of overconfidence. If more people were satisfied working for others rather than pursuing unrealisable ambitions, this would likely lead to better consumer products across the board as well as increased national economic prosperity.

Answers:

opting: choosing

entrepreneurs: people who start their own business

lack of expertise: not experts/skilled in an area

overall effect: the main impact of something

origin: cause/where it comes from

widespread: common

angel investment: early investment in a start-up company

panel of investors: group of people giving money to a product or service

product pitches: making a case/proposing a service or product

purchase stakes: buy a piece of a company

budding businesses: early/beginning/just forming businesses

launched products: started/premiered

securing initial funding: getting early money for something

trickle down effect: domino effect/effects other areas indirectly

dreams into realities: makes hopes/dreams comes true

main catalysts: primary causes

frenzy: lots of activity

popping up: appearing

Though there are undoubtedly positives: despite the fact there are advantages

start-up companies: companies that are just beginning

poorly run: not well managed

ride-sharing apps: applications on your phone to call a ride like Uber

established companies: well-known companies with good reputations

meet the growing demands: be able to provide a service for people who want it

in over their heads: beyond what they are capable of

barely function: hardly works at all

driver shortages: not enough drivers

specialise: focus on/become an expert in one area of

derivative: unoriginal

gain valuable experience: learn a lot

gaps in the market: areas where no company is meeting current demand/need

cult of overconfidence: lots of people being arrogant

unrealisable: impossible to make into a reality

across the board: everywhere/in all areas or industries

prosperity: wealth

Vocabulary Practice

Remember and fill in the blanks:

An increasing number of people today are _______________ to start their own companies instead of working for a company mainly because of the increased support for young _______________. In my opinion, the main disadvantages of not having an employer are _______________ and its _______________ on businesses.

The number of self-employed is related to young entrepreneurs and has its _______________ in _______________ across a variety of industries. One well-known example of this can be seen on the popular show ‘Shark Tank,’ where a _______________ and executives hear _______________ and compete to _______________ in _______________ entrepreneurs’ _______________. This show has _______________  a number of successful _______________ by _______________, which has led to a _______________ from this show: not only has it turned specific _______________ but it also encourages viewers in general to be more ambitious and has therefore been one of the _______________ for the _______________of self-run businesses _______________ in recent years.

_______________ to all these _______________, I think that the overall impact is negative because it results in many _______________ businesses. For example, in recent years a number of _______________ including Uber, Grab, Lyft, Be, Go-Viet and countless others have sprung up. The _______________ provide a functioning app with high-quality service to _______________ of this industry. However, the majority of small start-ups find themselves _______________ with apps that _______________ and _______________ that _______________in inconveniencing customers. It would be better for the people starting these _______________businesses to either work in companies, _______________, look for _______________, and then develop develop worthy competitors or simply be content to have a good job in a good company that they do not own.

In conclusion, I feel that the rising number of new companies has led to a _______________. If more people were satisfied working for others rather than pursuing _______________ ambitions, this would likely lead to better consumer products _______________ as well as increased national economic _______________.

Links from YouTube and Articles

Worst Shark Tank Pitches

Brightwheel Pitch

Best Pitch Ever!

50 Entrepreneurs Share Priceless Advice 

Comment below – Do you want to open your own business someday?

I’m not into that sort of thing…

I’d make a great…

I’d give it a shot if …

No chance because …

 

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