Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-09-09

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 7.0)

In many parts of the world, an increasing number of individuals are choosing to employ a personal fitness trainer instead of participating in different sports or joining exercise classes. This essay will discuss the reasons behind this trend and explain why I believe it is a largely positive transformation.

There are several reasons why people prefer professional exercise instructors. Firstly, a fitness coach provides a personalized exercise plan according to an individual's health condition, goals, and physical activity. Therefore, people can achieve better results in a shorter period of time. Moreover, many individuals have busy lifestyles and find it difficult to attend classes regularly at fixed times. Personal fitness services offer flexibility because the sessions can be arranged according to their schedules. Furthermore, expert guidance from a qualified fitness specialist can reduce the risk of injuries, as trainers teach the correct techniques of different exercises.

I believe this trend is a positive development because it encourages people to maintain a healthier lifestyle. Although hiring a one-to-one fitness instructor can be expensive, the advantages of receiving expert advice and staying motivated often outweigh the cost. For instance, many beginners stop exercising because they don't see the quick results, however, a trainer provides motivation and help them remain focused on their fitness goals.

Nevertheless, traditional sports and group exercise classes also have benefits, such as social interaction and teamwork. While these activities may be affordable, individualized fitness coaching can be more effective and give targeted support.

In conclusion, the increasing popularity of personalized fitness guidance is mainly caused by the demand for expert support and convenience. Despite the higher cost, I consider it beneficial overall, as it facilitates people exercising safely and ensures better health outcomes.

AI examiner evaluation

CriterionBand
Task Achievement / Task Response7.0
Coherence and Cohesion7.5
Lexical Resource6.5
Grammatical Range and Accuracy7.0
Overall7.0

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, providing clear reasons for the trend (personalization, flexibility, safety) and a distinct position on whether it is a positive development. The ideas are well-developed and supported with logical explanations. For instance, the explanation regarding busy lifestyles and scheduling flexibility is well-articulated. The essay maintains a consistent position throughout, and the conclusion effectively summarizes the main points. To reach a higher band, the student could provide more specific, real-world examples to illustrate the points, rather than relying solely on general statements, which would further strengthen the depth of the argument.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph has a central topic, and the progression of ideas is smooth. Cohesive devices such as 'Firstly', 'Moreover', 'Furthermore', and 'Nevertheless' are used effectively to link ideas. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the reasons from the evaluation of the trend. The referencing is clear, and the flow of the argument is easy to follow. The use of transition signals is natural and contributes to the overall coherence of the piece.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The vocabulary is sufficient and appropriate for the task. The student uses a range of topic-specific terms such as 'personalized exercise plan', 'qualified fitness specialist', and 'targeted support'. There is an attempt to use less common vocabulary, and the word choices are generally precise. While the range is adequate, it could be further enhanced by incorporating more sophisticated collocations or idiomatic expressions to demonstrate a higher level of lexical flexibility. There are no significant spelling or word-choice errors that impede communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The essay demonstrates a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. The student uses complex sentences effectively, such as 'Although hiring a one-to-one fitness instructor can be expensive, the advantages... often outweigh the cost.' The majority of sentences are error-free, and the grammar is generally accurate. There is a minor punctuation error in the third paragraph ('...quick results, however, a trainer...'), where a semicolon or a full stop would be more appropriate than a comma before 'however'. Overall, the control of grammar is strong, and the errors are infrequent and do not hinder understanding.

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