This is my IELTS writing task 2 sample answer essay on the topic of laws to limit working hours from the real IELTS general training exam.

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IELTS Essay: Laws to Limit Working Hours

Some countries have introduced laws to limit the working hours that an employer can ask from an employee.

Why are these law introduced?

Is this a positive or negative trend?

In many countries, it is common for the state to constrain the number of hours a person can work within any given day. In my opinion, this law is designed to discourage exploitation and is decidedly positive overall.

The main reason the average workday is limited by law is that otherwise companies could take advantage of their employees. The evidence for this comes from past centuries before such laws were passed. Around the beginning of the industrial revolution, it was a common practice in European countries for individuals to work 12 to 16 hours a day. If an employee protested then they might be fired or even physically harmed. Today, there are very few countries where corporations have the ability to make inhumane physical and mental demands on employees.

Limiting a person’s working laws is beneficial to society as it ensures workers have time for themselves. In countries where these laws do not exist or are poorly defined, there may still be instances of child labor or long working days. For example, in several East Asian countries, factory workers must live and work at their jobs with little opportunity for an outside life. In contrast, in countries with strict labor laws, a person possesses more time for family, hobbies, and friends. Free time is one way of guaranteeing better quality of life and overall satisfaction, benefits which can have ramifications for society as a whole.

In conclusion, laws related to working conditions protect workers and for that reason are positive. It is also essential that countries enforce the laws they have passed.

Analysis

1. In many countries, it is common for the state to constrain the number of hours a person can work within any given day. 2. In my opinion, this law is designed to discourage exploitation and is decidedly positive overall.

  1. Paraphrase the overall essay topic.
  2. Write a clear opinion. Read more about introductions here.

1. The main reason the average workday is limited by law is that otherwise companies could take advantage of their employees. 2. The evidence for this comes from past centuries before such laws were passed. 3. Around the beginning of the industrial revolution, it was a common practice in European countries for individuals to work 12 to 16 hours a day. 4. If an employee protested then they might be fired or even physically harmed. 5. Today, there are very few countries where corporations have the ability to make inhumane physical and mental demands on employees.

  1. Write a topic sentence with a clear main idea at the end.
  2. Explain your main idea.
  3. Develop it with specific or hypothetical examples.
  4. Keep developing it fully.

1. Limiting a person’s working laws is beneficial to society as it ensures workers have time for themselves. 2. In countries where these laws do not exist or are poorly defined, there may still be instances of child labor or long working days. 3. For example, in several East Asian countries, factory workers must live and work at their jobs with little opportunity for an outside life. 4. In contrast, in countries with strict labor laws, a person possesses more time for family, hobbies, and friends. 5. Free time is one way of guaranteeing better quality of life and overall satisfaction, benefits which can have ramifications for society as a whole.

  1. Write a new topic sentence with a new main idea at the end.
  2. Explain your new main idea.
  3. Include specific details and examples.
  4. Add as much information as you can and make sure it links logically.
  5. Finish the paragraph strong.

1. In conclusion, laws related to working conditions protect workers and for that reason are positive. 2. It is also essential that countries enforce the laws they have passed.

  1. Summarise your main ideas.
  2. Include a final thought. Read more about conclusions here.

Vocabulary

What do the words in bold below mean? Make some notes on paper to aid memory and then check below.

In many countries, it is common for the state to constrain the number of hours a person can work within any given day. In my opinion, this law is designed to discourage exploitation and is decidedly positive overall.

The main reason the average workday is limited by law is that otherwise companies could take advantage of their employees. The evidence for this comes from past centuries before such laws were passed. Around the beginning of the industrial revolution, it was a common practice in European countries for individuals to work 12 to 16 hours a day. If an employee protested then they might be fired or even physically harmed. Today, there are very few countries where corporations have the ability to make inhumane physical and mental demands on employees.

Limiting a person’s working laws is beneficial to society as it ensures workers have time for themselves. In countries where these laws do not exist or are poorly defined, there may still be instances of child labor or long working days. For example, in several East Asian countries, factory workers must live and work at their jobs with little opportunity for an outside life. In contrast, in countries with strict labor laws, a person possesses more time for family, hobbies, and friends. Free time is one way of guaranteeing better quality of life and overall satisfaction, benefits which can have ramifications for society as a whole.

In conclusion, laws related to working conditions protect workers and for that reason are positive. It is also essential that countries enforce the laws they have passed.

Answers

For extra practice, write an antonym (opposite word) on a piece of paper to help you remember the new vocabulary:

it is common for it happens a lot

the state the government

constrain limit

within any given day on a random day

designed to discourage exploitation for the reason of preventing taking advantage of

limited by law constrained by legal rules

otherwise instead of that

take advantage of their employees exploit workers

The evidence for this comes from past centuries proof is from the past

Around the beginning of the industrial revolution when the world started to develop technology and industry

it was a common practice in it happened a lot in

protested demonstrate against

fired laid off

even physically harmed maybe hurt their body

Today now

corporations companies

inhumane physical and mental demands on employees cruel expectations on workers

beneficial good

ensures makes sure of

have time for themselves have free time

do not exist not in the real world

poorly defined hard to pinpoint, not exact

instances examples

child labor or long working days kids working or working too long

East Asian countries countries like China, Japan, etc.

little opportunity for an outside life not much of a chance to have free time

strict labor laws strong regulations

possesses has

better quality of life stronger standard of living

overall satisfaction how you feel overall

ramifications for society as a whole effects for everyone

working conditions protect workers the environment keeps employees safe

for that reason thus

essential crucial

enforce make sure the laws are followed

laws they have passed rules put in place / enacted

Pronunciation

Practice saying the vocabulary below and use this tip about Google voice search:

ɪt ɪz ˈkɒmən fɔː 
ðə steɪt 
kənˈstreɪn 
wɪˈðɪn ˈɛni ˈɡɪvn deɪ 
dɪˈzaɪnd tuː dɪsˈkʌrɪʤ ˌɛksplɔɪˈteɪʃᵊn 
ˈlɪmɪtɪd baɪ lɔː 
ˈʌðəwaɪz 
teɪk ədˈvɑːntɪʤ ɒv ðeər ˌɛmplɔɪˈiːz 
ði ˈɛvɪdəns fɔː ðɪs kʌmz frɒm pɑːst ˈsɛnʧʊriz 
əˈraʊnd ðə bɪˈɡɪnɪŋ ɒv ði ɪnˈdʌstrɪəl ˌrɛvəˈluːʃᵊn 
ɪt wɒz ə ˈkɒmən ˈpræktɪs ɪn 
prəˈtɛstɪd 
ˈfaɪəd 
ˈiːvən ˈfɪzɪkəli hɑːmd 
təˈdeɪ 
ˌkɔːpəˈreɪʃᵊnz 
ˌɪnhjuːˈmeɪn ˈfɪzɪkəl ænd ˈmɛntl dɪˈmɑːndz ɒn ˌɛmplɔɪˈiːz 
ˌbɛnɪˈfɪʃəl 
ɪnˈʃʊəz 
hæv taɪm fɔː ðəmˈsɛlvz 
duː nɒt ɪɡˈzɪst 
ˈpʊəli dɪˈfaɪnd 
ˈɪnstənsɪz 
ʧaɪld ˈleɪbər ɔː lɒŋ ˈwɜːkɪŋ deɪz 
iːst ˈeɪʃᵊn ˈkʌntriz 
ˈlɪtl ˌɒpəˈtjuːnəti fɔːr ən ˌaʊtˈsaɪd laɪf 
strɪkt ˈleɪbə lɔːz 
pəˈzɛsɪz 
ˈbɛtə ˈkwɒləti ɒv laɪf 
ˈəʊvərɔːl ˌsætɪsˈfækʃᵊn 
ˌræmɪfɪˈkeɪʃᵊnz fɔː səˈsaɪəti æz ə həʊl 
ˈwɜːkɪŋ kənˈdɪʃᵊnz prəˈtɛkt ˈwɜːkəz 
fɔː ðæt ˈriːzn 
ɪˈsɛnʃəl 
ɪnˈfɔːs 
lɔːz ðeɪ hæv pɑːst 

Vocabulary Practice

I recommend getting a pencil and piece of paper because that aids memory. Then write down the missing vocabulary from my sample answer in your notebook:

In many countries, i_________________r t_________e to c_________n the number of hours a person can work w_________________y. In my opinion, this law is d__________________________________n and is decidedly positive overall.

The main reason the average workday is l_________________w is that o____________e companies could t_______________________________s. T_____________________________________________s before such laws were passed. A____________________________________________________n, i___________________________n European countries for individuals to work 12 to 16 hours a day. If an employee p_________d then they might be f_____d or e___________________d. T_____y, there are very few countries where c_____________s have the ability to make i____________________________________________________________s.

Limiting a person’s working laws is b___________l to society as it e_________s workers h___________________________s. In countries where these laws d_______________t or are p______________d, there may still be i____________s of c_____________________________________s. For example, in several E_____________________s, factory workers must live and work at their jobs with l______________________________________e. In contrast, in countries with s_______________________s, a person p__________s more time for family, hobbies, and friends. Free time is one way of guaranteeing b_______________________e and o_________________n, benefits which can have r____________________________________e.

In conclusion, laws related to w___________________________________s and f_________________n are positive. It is also e__________l that countries e_________e the l____________________________d.

Listening Practice

Learn more about this topic by watching from YouTube below and practice with these activities:


Reading Practice

Read more about this topic and use these ideas to practice:

Speaking Practice

Practice with the following speaking questions from the real IELTS speaking exam:

Work (Model answer available on my Patreon)

  1. Are you student or are you working now?
  2. What do you like about your job/school at the moment?
  3. What job would you like to do in the future?

Writing Practice

Practice with the related IELTS essay topics below:

Some people say that individuals should change jobs during their working life often while others believe that doing the same job has advantages to individuals, companies, and society.

Discuss both views and give your opinion.

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