PTE essay: Technology has made it possible for many people to work from home

The essay prompt

Technology has made it possible for many people to work from home. Do the advantages of working from home outweigh the disadvantages?

You have 20 minutes to write 200–300 words.

Essay type: Advantages and disadvantages. Weigh both sides, then say clearly which is stronger. Paragraph 2: advantages; paragraph 3: disadvantages (or the reverse), ending on the side you support.

A 3-minute plan

1. Introduction: paraphrase the topic and give your position in one sentence.
2. Body paragraph 1: your strongest reason, with an example.
3. Body paragraph 2: a second reason, or the other side and why you still hold your view.
4. Conclusion: restate your position in new words.

Model essay (206 words)

Over the past few years, working from home has become normal in many industries. Although it brings some challenges, I believe its advantages outweigh its disadvantages for most workers.

The most obvious benefit is the time and money saved on commuting. Instead of spending hours in traffic, employees can use that time for exercise, family or rest, which often improves their wellbeing. Working from home also gives people more control over their environment, allowing them to concentrate without the constant interruptions of an open-plan office. For parents and carers in particular, this flexibility can make it possible to stay in the workforce.

Nevertheless, there are real disadvantages. Some employees feel isolated and miss the informal conversations that build relationships and spark ideas. It can also be harder to separate work from personal life when the office is the kitchen table. Younger staff may find it more difficult to learn from experienced colleagues.

However, these problems can largely be managed. Many organisations now combine home and office days, schedule regular team meetings and encourage clear working hours. In conclusion, while working from home is not perfect, its benefits for productivity, wellbeing and flexibility outweigh the drawbacks, especially when it is combined with some time in the office.

Why this essay scores well

• Content: it answers the exact question and keeps to one clear position.
• Form: 206 words, inside the 200–300 range.
• Development, structure and coherence: 4 paragraphs, each with one main idea, linked with clear connectors.
• Grammar and vocabulary: a mix of simple and complex sentences, with topic vocabulary used accurately.
• Spelling: one consistent spelling style (Australian/British).

Now write your own

Write your answer to this topic in 20 minutes, then paste it into the free PTE essay checker for an instant estimated score on all 7 traits. Or practise with a random topic and a timer on the Write Essay practice page.

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