Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-08-16

IELTS Writing Task 2 question

In some countries, more and more people are hiring a personal fitness trainer, rather than playing sports or doing exercise classes. What are the reasons for this? Is this a positive or a negative development?

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

Student answer (Band 6.5)

There is an ongoing debate regarding people in some countries who are hiring a personal fitness trainer, rather than actively taking part in sports or doing exercise classes. This is an emerging trend and there are certain reasons for this development as it is both convenient and comfortable. This essay will discuss different perspectives before explaining why I think having a personal trainer and involvement in sports are equally important.

Regular physical activity can have a positive impact on both physical and mental well-being. Nowadays, people are health conscious and are involved in various activities that keep them smarter and healthier. Although many people have awareness of a balanced diet and regular exercise through social media platforms, a personal fitness trainer offers more a guided approach. Personal trainers are well-educated and highly professional individuals who can help you encourage physical activity while keeping track of your daily routine with honest feedback. A personalized instructor provides a one-to-one feedback with quick outcomes and a flexible schedule based on your convenience. However, they are expensive and not affordable by many individuals.

On the other hand, playing sports or doing exercise classes builds social connections along with a healthy lifestyle and wellness. It develops a sense of teamwork and motivates group members to do better even if someone is losing interest. A compelling example of this can be observed in group activities like Zumba or aerobic classes designed to train a number of individuals together. This results in motivation and maintenance of good health while reducing stress levels with a positive impact on lifestyle.

However, in my opinion, both approaches are reasonable and beneficial as long as they help you become physically and mentally fit. Professional advice from a trainer along with sports and exercise is a balanced approach.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, identifying reasons for hiring personal trainers (convenience, professional guidance) and evaluating the development. However, the development of ideas is somewhat limited. While you mention that personal trainers are 'expensive and not affordable by many,' this point is not fully explored in relation to the 'negative' aspect of the development. The conclusion is a bit abrupt and could have more clearly synthesized the arguments presented. To reach a higher band, ensure that each point is supported by more detailed explanation or specific examples to fully develop your position.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the two main perspectives. You use cohesive devices such as 'Although,' 'However,' and 'On the other hand' to link ideas. However, some transitions feel slightly mechanical, and the progression of ideas within paragraphs could be smoother. For instance, the transition between the benefits of personal trainers and their cost could be better integrated to improve the flow of the argument.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'health conscious,' 'well-educated,' and 'social connections.' There are some minor inaccuracies in word choice, such as 'one-to-one feedback with quick outcomes' (which is slightly awkward) and 'keep them smarter' (which is not the most natural collocation for physical health). While the vocabulary is sufficient to convey your meaning clearly, it lacks the precision and sophistication required for higher bands. Expanding your use of topic-specific collocations would enhance your score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. Most sentences are clear and error-free, which ensures communication is not impeded. There are occasional minor errors, such as 'a one-to-one feedback' (should be 'one-to-one feedback' as it is uncountable) and 'not affordable by many individuals' (should be 'not affordable to many'). You have good control over basic grammar, but to achieve a higher band, you should aim to incorporate a wider variety of complex structures with greater accuracy.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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