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. For instance, the discussion on 'toxic' environments versus 'supportive' ones provides a balanced view. The position is consistent throughout the essay, and the conclusion effectively synthesizes the arguments while maintaining the writer's stance. The response is well-structured and covers the requirements of the task thoroughly.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay demonstrates a logical flow of ideas. Each paragraph has a clear central topic, starting with the introduction, moving to the two opposing views, and concluding with a summary. Cohesive devices such as 'On the other hand,' 'Moreover,' and 'In conclusion' are used effectively to guide the reader through the argument. The paragraphing is logical and contributes to the overall clarity of the text. The progression of ideas is smooth and easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

The vocabulary is appropriate and precise for the topic. The student uses a good range of topic-specific language such as 'mental well-being,' 'genuine friendships,' 'demanding projects,' and 'informal gatherings.' The word choice is natural and contributes to the overall professional tone of the essay. There are no significant errors in collocation or word choice that impede communication. The range is sufficient to convey complex ideas clearly and effectively.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay displays a good variety of complex sentence structures, such as conditional clauses ('If an office environment is toxic...') and relative clauses ('people who are comfortable...'). The grammar is highly accurate, with the majority of sentences being error-free. Punctuation is used correctly throughout, and there are no persistent errors that distract the reader. The control over complex structures is consistent, reflecting a high level of grammatical competence.

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