Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-09-16

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)

A balance between personal and professional life is crucial for a happy life. Many individuals believe that it is a better idea to spend some time with work colleagues in the evenings and on weekends. However, others think that it is important to keep professional life separate from social life. This essay will discuss both views and my opinion. On the one hand, people often spend more time in their offices with employees. If they start spending more time together in the evening, it would enhance their mutual understanding and bond. With more understanding, they can perform job tasks in teams more effectively. The more employees spend time together, the more benefit they can provide to their organization through their effective teamwork. In Japan, workers spend time with each other on weekends to strengthen their bonds and to grow together professionally. On the other hand, spending more time in the professional cycle can be stressful for many people, as there are chances they will only discuss their professional issues. Indeed, it can help people to understand each other; I strongly believe that it will stick to office issues and increase stress among workers. Rather than spending time with work colleagues, people should spend their time with family and relatives. This will not only strengthen their personal relationships, but can also act as an escape from professional life. For instance, in China, people spend their leisure time with family because they believe it brings peace and statisfaction and provides relief from work pressure. In conclusion, although socialising with teammates might help people to work effectively, I strongly believe that they should keep their professional life separate from professional life. This can act as an escape from work stress and enhance their family bonds.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The student successfully addresses all parts of the task by discussing both views on socialising with colleagues and providing a clear personal opinion. The position is maintained throughout the essay. Ideas are extended and supported with relevant examples, such as mentioning practices in Japan and China. For instance, the argument regarding teamwork and mutual understanding is clearly linked to the benefits for an organization. However, there is a slight contradiction and logical slip in the conclusion where the student states they believe people should keep their professional life separate from 'professional life' rather than 'social life', which slightly impacts full development. Overall, the task is well handled and meets the requirements of a Band 7.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The response features a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. The essay is appropriately divided into an introduction, two body paragraphs representing opposing views, and a conclusion. Cohesive devices are used reasonably well, such as 'On the one hand', 'On the other hand', and 'In conclusion', which guide the reader smoothly through the argument. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and effectively. Referencing is generally clear, though occasional repetition of certain structures and lexical items (such as repeatedly using 'spend time' and 'professional life') makes the cohesion slightly mechanical in places. Nevertheless, the overall arrangement is coherent, earning a solid Band 7.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, successfully attempting less common items and collocations such as 'mutual understanding', 'effective teamwork', and 'work pressure'. There is good use of general and topic-specific vocabulary throughout the text. However, there are some minor lexical inaccuracies and spelling errors, such as 'statisfaction' instead of 'satisfaction', and a noticeable slip in the conclusion where the phrase 'professional life separate from professional life' is used instead of contrasting professional and social life. Despite these occasional errors, the vocabulary is sufficient to convey the intended meaning without impeding communication, fitting the Band 6 descriptor well.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The student produces a good mix of simple and complex sentence forms, demonstrating control over conditional structures ('If they start spending...', 'If indeed it can help...') and comparative structures ('The more employees spend time together, the more benefit they can provide...'). There are frequent error-free sentences, and punctuation is generally handled correctly. However, there are some grammatical inaccuracies and awkward phrasings, such as 'spend more time in the professional cycle' and the aforementioned slip in the conclusion. These errors do not impede communication and are typical of a competent user. The control of grammar aligns well with a Band 7.

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