PTE Academic Write Essay · Problem and solution

Addressing Work-Life Balance and Leisure Time Challenges

A high-scoring sample essay with the plan behind it, the vocabulary that lifts it, and what the scoring traits reward.
  • 245 words
  • Problem and solution
  • beginner
  • 20 minutes

The prompt

Many working people say they do not have enough time for hobbies or leisure activities because of their long working hours. What problems can a lack of leisure time cause for individuals, and what can employers and workers do to create a better balance between work and personal life?

20 minutes. Write 200 to 300 words. A BandLadder practice prompt, not a recalled exam question.

Problem and solution

Plan before you write

  1. 1

    Position

    A lack of leisure time leads to significant health deterioration, which can be mitigated through flexible labor policies and improved personal time management.

  2. 2

    Paragraph 2

    The negative consequences of insufficient downtime on physical and mental well-being.

  3. 3

    Paragraph 3

    Strategies for employers and workers to restore equilibrium between professional obligations and private life.

  • →Name one or two specific problems, not a general complaint.
  • →Match each solution to a problem and say who would carry it out.
  • →Keep problems and solutions in separate paragraphs so the structure is visible.

Model answer

Sample essay

High-scoring sample245 words. Use the structure and vocabulary, not the sentences: PTE flags memorised templates.

The contemporary professional landscape is increasingly demanding, often forcing individuals to sacrifice leisure activities for extended working hours. This imbalance poses substantial risks to personal well-being, necessitating proactive interventions from both corporate leadership and the workforce to foster a healthier environment.

Chronic overwork frequently manifests as severe psychological and physical complications. Without adequate time to disengage from professional responsibilities, individuals often succumb to burnout, characterized by persistent fatigue, anxiety, and diminished cognitive performance. For instance, an employee who consistently works overtime without recreational outlets is statistically more likely to suffer from stress-related illnesses, such as hypertension or clinical depression, which ultimately impairs their long-term productivity and quality of life.

To address this, employers should implement flexible working arrangements, such as remote options or compressed workweeks, which empower staff to manage their time more effectively. Simultaneously, employees must cultivate the discipline to establish strict boundaries between their professional and private spheres. For example, a corporation that promotes a culture of mandatory rest periods, coupled with an employee’s commitment to disconnecting from digital communications after office hours, can significantly restore work-life harmony. Such structural shifts not only protect the individual but also enhance organizational loyalty and efficiency.

In conclusion, the erosion of leisure time is a pressing concern that threatens the health of the modern workforce. By integrating flexible labor policies and fostering a culture of personal accountability, organizations and individuals can successfully mitigate the adverse effects of overwork, ensuring a more sustainable and fulfilling professional trajectory.

Scoring traits

Why this scores well

This essay scores highly on linguistic range and coherence by utilizing sophisticated transitions and precise vocabulary to link problems with specific solutions. The most common mistake on this prompt is failing to address both parts of the question, often by focusing exclusively on the problems and neglecting to provide actionable solutions for both employers and workers.

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8 words

Vocabulary from the essay

  • contemporary

    belonging to or occurring in the present time

  • proactive

    creating or controlling a situation by taking action

  • succumb

    fail to resist pressure or negative influence

  • diminished

    made smaller or less important in intensity

  • equilibrium

    a state of balance between opposing forces

  • cultivate

    try to acquire or develop a quality

  • mitigate

    make less severe, serious, or painful

  • trajectory

    the path followed by an object moving forward

See also the Write Essay guide.

Frequently asked questions

How long should a PTE essay be?+

Between 200 and 300 words; outside that range the form score drops to zero. This sample is 245 words, written for the 20-minute limit.

What type of essay is this?+

Problem and solution. Name one or two specific problems, not a general complaint.

What does PTE reward in the essay?+

This essay scores highly on linguistic range and coherence by utilizing sophisticated transitions and precise vocabulary to link problems with specific solutions. The most common mistake on this prompt is failing to address both parts of the question, often by focusing exclusively on the problems and neglecting to provide actionable solutions for both employers and workers.

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