Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-08-21

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 7.5)

Some people argue that work and social life should be kept completely separate, while others enjoy spending their evenings and weekends with their work colleagues. In my opinion, there is no single answer to this issue, as it largely depends on a person's nature and the type of people they work with.

If an office environment is toxic and colleagues see each other as rivals, it can be difficult to develop genuine friendships at work. Constant competition, criticism and leg-pulling among employees can create a negative atmosphere, making people reluctant to spend their free time with the same colleagues. In such circumstances, keeping professional and personal life separate may help employees maintain their mental well-being and avoid unnecessary conflicts. Moreover, some people are naturally more private and prefer to spend their evenings and weekends with their families or close friends rather than with co-workers.

On the other hand, socialising with colleagues can be enjoyable when the workplace has a friendly and supportive environment. Informal gatherings, such as having dinner together or going out for an activity, can help employees understand each other better and build stronger relationships. This can also improve teamwork because people who are comfortable with one another are more likely to communicate effectively and support each other at work. For example, colleagues who occasionally socialise outside the office may find it easier to cooperate on demanding projects.

In conclusion, although maintaining a clear boundary between work and personal life can be beneficial, socialising with colleagues can also strengthen workplace relationships. I believe people should have the freedom to choose based on their personality and workplace environment rather than being expected to follow one approach.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, discussing both perspectives and providing a clear personal opinion. The ideas are well-developed, with logical arguments for both sides—such as the impact of a 'toxic' environment versus the benefits of 'supportive' teamwork. The position is consistent throughout the essay. The response is balanced and directly answers the prompt's requirements, demonstrating a clear understanding of the task.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between the two viewpoints is smooth, using phrases like 'On the other hand' and 'In conclusion'. Cohesive devices are used effectively, such as 'In such circumstances' and 'This can also', which help maintain the flow of the argument. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different aspects of the discussion.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

The vocabulary is precise and appropriate for the context. The student uses a good range of topic-specific language such as 'mental well-being', 'demanding projects', and 'professional and personal life'. The word choice is natural and contributes to the clarity of the argument. While the range is sufficient and accurate, it could be further elevated by incorporating more sophisticated collocations or idiomatic expressions to reach the highest band.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay demonstrates a good command of complex sentence structures, such as conditional clauses ('If an office environment is toxic...') and concessive clauses ('although maintaining a clear boundary...'). The majority of sentences are error-free, and the punctuation is used correctly. The grammar is flexible and supports the clear communication of ideas. There are no significant errors that impede understanding, and the control over tense and agreement is consistent.

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