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. This essay will discuss both sides of the coin followed by my opinion in the end.

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, my company arranges family get-togethers for their employees especially on occasions like Christmas which promote friendships and social support among employees.

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 justified to maintain peace of mind.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

You have addressed all parts of the prompt by discussing both perspectives and providing a clear personal opinion. Your position is consistent throughout the essay. The ideas are relevant and supported by logical reasoning, such as the mention of team productivity and the need to 'switch off'. To reach a higher band, you could further extend your arguments by providing more detailed examples or exploring the potential downsides of socialising in more depth, such as the risk of office politics or the blurring of professional hierarchies. Overall, the response is well-developed and directly answers the task requirements.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The essay is logically organised with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central topic, and you have used cohesive devices effectively, such as 'On one hand', 'On the other hand', and 'However'. The transition between paragraphs is smooth, and the conclusion effectively summarises your stance. The use of referencing is generally clear, though some cohesive links could be more varied to avoid a slightly mechanical feel. Overall, the structure is sound and supports the reader's understanding of your argument.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with precision. Phrases like 'highly contentious', 'distinct boundary', and 'nuanced approach' are used appropriately. There is an attempt to use less common lexical items, which adds to the quality of the writing. While the vocabulary is generally accurate, there are occasional minor issues with collocation, such as 'intermingle with acquaintances' (colleagues would be more precise in this context). The range is adequate for the task, and your word choices do not impede communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures effectively. Most of your sentences are error-free, and your control of punctuation is good. There are occasional minor slips, such as 'a balance of both is desirable' (which could be phrased as 'a balance of both is desirable to maintain...'). However, these errors are rare and do not interfere with the clarity of your message. You show good control over complex structures, which indicates a level of proficiency beyond the basic requirements.

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

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