Some companies have uniforms for their staff which must be worn at all times. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this.
Sample Response
Some companies make their workers always wearing uniforms. The main benefits of this is that companies are shown as reliable for their clients and their workers feel safe wearing them. However, the key drawbacks are that their staff can feel uncomfortable on hot days and demotivated by wearing the same every day. Companies in which uniforms are always worn show their clients that they can trust them. When employees look neat wearing their uniforms, clients trust in the services that are provided by a company because it shows professionalism and order. Another advantage is that workers feel protected. In some types of jobs, employees who work with dangerous products can feel safe wearing their uniforms all day because they prevent them from getting hurt. For example, builders demand their uniforms as a basic element for their protection before starting a construction. However, employees can feel uncomfortable in days with high temperatures. On hot days, wearing uniforms can reduce worker’s comfort because they cannot change their clothes to avoid the heat. Another key drawback is that repeating the same clothing can demotivate workers. Employees can feel tired of always looking the same because they cannot choose what they want to wear. For instance, a recent survey showed that 60.3% of people who wear uniforms do not like to wear them, and they would like to make decisions about their outfit at work. In conclusion, although having uniforms for staff makes a company looks reliable for its clients and provides safety for its workers, they can feel uncomfortable on hot days and unmotivated due to the fact that they constantly have to wear the same clothing.
IELTS Writing Correction
- 1. Fix causative structure Original: make their workers always wearing uniforms Suggested revision: make their workers wear uniforms at all times Why it matters: The causative verb 'make' takes a bare infinitive rather than an '-ing' form.
- 2. Fix subject agreement Original: is Suggested revision: are Why it matters: The plural subject 'benefits' requires the plural verb 'are'.
- 3. Use natural expression Original: companies are shown as reliable for their clients Suggested revision: companies appear reliable to their clients Why it matters: The revision uses the appropriate linking verb and preposition for perceived reliability.
- 4. Complete noun phrase Original: demotivated by wearing the same every day Suggested revision: demotivated by wearing the same clothes every day Why it matters: 'The same' needs a clear noun here to identify what employees repeatedly wear.
- 5. Remove wrong preposition Original: clients trust in the services Suggested revision: clients trust the services Why it matters: The transitive verb 'trust' takes a direct object in this context.
- 6. Choose accurate verb Original: builders demand their uniforms Suggested revision: builders require uniforms Why it matters: 'Require' expresses that the uniforms are necessary equipment, while 'demand' suggests making a forceful request.
- 7. Use natural collocation Original: before starting a construction Suggested revision: before starting construction work Why it matters: 'Construction work' is the natural uncountable phrase for the activity described.
- 8. Fix time preposition Original: in Suggested revision: on Why it matters: Use 'on' when referring to particular kinds of days.
- 9. Use plural possessive Original: worker’s comfort Suggested revision: workers' comfort Why it matters: The claim concerns employees generally, so the possessive noun should be plural.
- 10. Use bare infinitive Original: looks Suggested revision: look Why it matters: After 'makes', the following verb must use the bare infinitive form 'look'.
- 11. Tighten passive phrase Original: that are provided by a company Suggested revision: provided by the company Why it matters: The reduced passive is more concise, and the definite article refers back to the company being discussed.
- 12. Use precise terminology Original: as a basic element for their protection Suggested revision: as essential protective equipment Why it matters: This phrase states the uniforms' protective function more directly and naturally.
Suggested Rewrites
- make their workers always wearing uniforms make their workers wear uniforms at all times
- is are
- companies are shown as reliable for their clients companies appear reliable to their clients
- demotivated by wearing the same every day demotivated by wearing the same clothes every day
- clients trust in the services clients trust the services
- builders demand their uniforms builders require uniforms
Why this response received Band 6.5
The response addresses both sides directly and develops four relevant points with explanations and examples, making task coverage its strongest feature. The main limitation is presentation as one continuous paragraph, compounded by recurring grammatical and collocational errors despite generally clear meaning. The highest-priority improvement is to separate the introduction, advantages, disadvantages, and conclusion, then edit verb patterns, agreement, possessives, and awkward word combinations.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Response
Both advantages and disadvantages are clearly identified, extended, and supported with relevant examples.
Strengthen the response further by making the examples more credible and explaining the wider effect of each point.
Coherence and Cohesion
The sequence of ideas is logical and easy to follow, but the absence of paragraph breaks weakens organisation and cohesion.
Divide the response into an introduction, two focused body paragraphs, and a concise conclusion.
Lexical Resource
Vocabulary is adequate for the topic and includes some precise terms, although repetition and several unnatural collocations limit flexibility.
Vary repeated references to uniforms and replace awkward phrases with natural expressions such as require uniforms and work in hot weather.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
A mix of simple and complex structures communicates meaning clearly, but errors in verb patterns, agreement, possessives, and articles recur.
Proofread each sentence for correct verb complementation and agreement, especially after make, feel, and singular subjects.
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IELTS Writing Task 2
Some companies have uniforms for their staff which must be worn at all times. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this.
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.