Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-08-13

IELTS Writing Task 2 question

Some people think that it’s a good idea to socialise with work colleagues during evenings and weekends. Other people think it’s important to keep working life completely separate from social life.

Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

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

Student answer (Band 7.0)

The debate about whether to intermingle with acquaintances after work-hours or not is highly contentious. While some find it a great way to bond others think it is imperative to keep a distinct boundary between work colleagues and personal life.

On one hand, socializing with colleagues is an excellent way to maintain a healthy bond. This is because if workers spend their free time during evenings and weekends together, they can develop deep mutual understanding over time. As a result, colleagues provide support to each other and work collaboratively as a team which not only enhances their performance but also increases their workplace productivity. For instance, many employers arrange family get-togethers for their employees especially on occasions like Christmas which promote friendships and social support among them.

On the other hand, some individuals like to keep their work and personal lives separate. This means they want to get completely detached from their work environment once they clock out and enjoy their leisure time with their families and friends. They believe that hanging out with co-workers after work brings back job related discussions and does not let them totally switch off from their job.

However, in my opinion, a nuanced approach in which a balance of both is desirable to keep respectful boundaries. This can be practically achieved by participating in occasional after-work parties arranged by employers and avoiding regular weekly hangouts with co-workers.

In conclusion, although socializing with work colleagues is desirable to promote healthy relationships, switching off from the work related discussions is crucial to unwind and recharge batteries. In my opinion, a balance of both is imperative in life.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, discussing both perspectives and clearly stating an opinion. The ideas are relevant and logically extended, such as the mention of 'family get-togethers' to support the benefits of socializing and the 'switching off' argument for the opposing view. The position is consistent throughout the essay. To reach a higher band, the development could be slightly more detailed; for instance, explaining the specific psychological benefits of 'switching off' or providing a more concrete personal example of how a 'nuanced approach' works in practice would strengthen the argument further.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is well-organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between the two viewpoints is smooth, using appropriate cohesive devices like 'On one hand' and 'On the other hand'. The conclusion effectively summarizes the main points and reiterates the author's stance. The use of referencing is generally clear, though some cohesive links could be more varied to avoid a slightly mechanical feel. Overall, the paragraphing is logical and contributes to the clarity of the argument.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

The vocabulary is sufficient and generally precise, allowing for a clear expression of ideas. Phrases like 'highly contentious', 'imperative to keep a distinct boundary', and 'nuanced approach' demonstrate a good range. There are minor issues with collocation, such as 'intermingle with acquaintances' (acquaintances usually implies people you know slightly, whereas colleagues are specific) and 'get completely detached' (which is slightly awkward). However, the vocabulary is more than adequate for the task and shows an attempt to use less common items effectively.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The essay displays a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There is generally good control over grammar and punctuation, with most sentences being error-free. For example, the use of conditional structures and complex noun phrases is accurate. There are a few minor slips, such as the missing 'is' in 'a balance of both is desirable' (the sentence structure is slightly fragmented) and the omission of 'the' before 'work related discussions'. These errors are infrequent and do not impede communication, reflecting a solid command of English grammar.

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