Topic: In the past, most people used to travel to their place of work. With the increased use of computers, the internet and smartphones, more and more people are starting to work from home.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of this development?

Model answer

The way in which we work has changed a great deal in recent years. Whilst some people still travel to their place of work each day, others have the option to work from home. This has all become possible since the birth of the internet and smartphones, which enable workers to be in constant contact with their colleagues and clients all over the world.

There are both advantages and disadvantages to this new development. There are definite advantages to people being allowed to work from home. The main advantage is that it gives workers more flexibility in their working lives. This can be particularly useful for parents or people who live far from their workplace. Working from home is also more comfortable - you can take a break whenever you need. Another advantage is that you have the possibility to work for companies in other countries through the use of the internet. Therefore, people can apply for jobs globally as well as locally.

On the other hand, working from home can also have its disadvantages. Traveling to work and working in an office with others can be a very sociable activity which many people enjoy, especially if they live on their own. Without this social interaction, many people might feel very lonely. Furthermore, many people may lack sufficient discipline to complete the work they need to do without colleagues around.

In conclusion, therefore, there are clearly advantages and disadvantages to working from home. Perhaps the ideal arrangement would be to spend part of the working week in an office with colleagues, and part of the working week at home, with a certain amount of flexibility and comfort.

TỪ VỰNG CHỦ ĐỀ “WORK FROM HOME”

• The birth of something: sự ra đời của cái gì đó

• Social interaction: sự tương tác với cộng đồng, xã hội

• Confinement: sự hạn chế (the state of being kept inside or within borders)

• Screen time: thời gian nhìn vào các thiết bị điện tử (the amount of time someone spends looking at an electronic device with a screen, such as a computer or television)

• Nine-to-five office job: công việc văn phòng từ 9 giờ sáng đến 5 giờ chiều

• Save a large amount of time commuting back and forth to work: tiết kiệm nhiều thời gian đi lại

• Easily get distracted by things: dễ bị xao nhãng bởi nhiều thứ

• Difficult to develop social skills: gặp khó khăn để phát triển các kỹ năng xã hội

• Work-life balance: sự cân bằng giữa công việc và cuộc sống cá nhân

Nguồn: IELTS Exam