IELTS Writing Task 2: The Expansion of the Gig Economy

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Writing Prompt

A rising number of people no longer hold permanent jobs and instead earn a living through short-term tasks arranged by apps and websites, such as delivering food or driving passengers.

Is the growth of this so-called gig economy a positive or negative development?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Show Band 8–9 model answer

The rapid expansion of the gig economy, driven by platforms for food delivery, ride-hailing and online freelancing, has transformed modern labour markets. While it offers some notable benefits, I believe its unchecked growth is largely a negative development for individuals and society.

Admittedly, gig work can create valuable opportunities. To begin with, it lowers barriers to employment. People who might struggle to find traditional jobs, such as migrants, students or those with limited qualifications, can start earning almost immediately by signing up to an app. Furthermore, the flexibility to choose when and how much to work suits individuals with other commitments, for instance parents with childcare responsibilities or undergraduates balancing study and income. For a small minority of highly skilled freelancers, gig platforms also facilitate access to a global client base, allowing them to command higher fees.

Despite these advantages, the structural drawbacks are far more serious. Most gig workers lack basic protections associated with permanent employment, including sick pay, paid holidays and pension contributions. During the Covid-19 pandemic, for example, many delivery drivers were forced to work while ill simply because they could not afford to lose income, a situation that was dangerous both for them and the public. In addition, platforms typically classify workers as “independent contractors”, enabling companies to avoid minimum wage regulations and shift business risks onto individuals. Algorithms can reduce pay rates or suspend accounts without transparent justification, leaving workers in a position of extreme insecurity and stress.

At a wider level, the gig economy can undermine hard-won labour standards. If more firms replace salaried staff with on-demand contractors, stable, career-building jobs may gradually disappear, eroding social cohesion and increasing inequality. While better regulation could mitigate some harms, in its current form the expansion of gig work is, on balance, a negative trend.

Why this response works

This essay presents a clear, consistent position throughout, acknowledging limited benefits but arguing convincingly that the gig economy is mainly negative. Ideas are logically organised, with clear progression from introduction to balanced body paragraphs and a concise conclusion. Cohesion is achieved without overusing formulaic linkers. The response extends and supports key points with relevant, concrete examples, such as the pandemic’s impact on delivery workers. Lexical resource is strong and varied (e.g. “lowers barriers,” “structural drawbacks,” “eroding social cohesion”), and grammar is accurate with a wide range of complex structures used naturally.