Task: 2 Responding to Survey Questions Worksheet (With Solutions) - 27

You have 26 minutes to complete this task. Write between 150 and 200 words. Choose to support either Option A or Option B. Write one single unified response without labels or section splits. You must address both options in your response. Your writing will be scored on Content and Coherence, Vocabulary, Readability, and Task Fulfillment, each out of 12 points.

Your workplace, a mid-sized marketing firm in Vancouver, has received a budget of $15,000 for employee wellness initiatives this year. Management has asked employees to vote on how these funds should be allocated between two competing proposals.

Option A: On-site fitness programs and equipment.
The company would install a small gym with treadmills, weights, and yoga mats in the unused storage room on the third floor. A certified trainer would offer three classes per week during lunch hours and after work.

Option B: Mental health and counselling services.
The firm would partner with a local counselling agency to provide each employee with up to six free confidential therapy sessions per year. An additional wellness coordinator would be hired part-time to organize stress management workshops quarterly.

Write a response in which you support one of the options. Give reasons for your choice. Explain why you do NOT support the other option.

Model Answer

I firmly support Option B, dedicating the wellness budget to mental health and counselling services, as this addresses the most pressing needs in today's high-pressure work environment. Marketing professionals face constant deadlines, client demands, and creative burnout, which directly impact psychological well-being. Access to confidential therapy sessions provides employees with professional support to manage stress, anxiety, and work-life balance challenges that cannot be resolved through physical exercise alone. Furthermore, the quarterly stress management workshops led by a dedicated wellness coordinator would equip our team with practical coping strategies applicable both at work and in personal life.

While Option A offers physical fitness benefits, most employees already have gym memberships or exercise routines outside work, making this investment somewhat redundant. Additionally, a small on-site gym with limited equipment cannot compete with established fitness facilities, and scheduling group classes during lunch hours may conflict with work responsibilities or personal preferences. Mental health support, conversely, fills a critical gap that employees cannot easily access elsewhere due to cost or stigma. Investing in psychological wellness demonstrates that our company values holistic employee care and recognizes that mental health is foundational to sustained productivity and job satisfaction.