Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-10-29

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 5.0)

It is argued that separating the professional and social life is the better appraoch rather than mixing these two aspects and socializing with the work collegues. I personally agree with the latter approach, however, everyone should priortise their own preference.

On the one hand, fraternizing with collegues at the work place can boost morale among the employees as they are spending a substantial amount of time going through the hard working hours together. They can relate to each other about the hardships and the perks of a work place and help one another with difficult tasks. For instance, a strict manager at an office can become bearable with a group of collegues who are friends with whom you can share the experience.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.0

You state a position in the introduction—“I personally agree with the latter approach”—and give a relevant reason for socialising with colleagues: shared experiences can boost morale and make difficult working hours more bearable. However, the task asks you to discuss both views and give your opinion, while the response develops only the case for socialising. The view that work and social life should remain separate is not explained, and your own preference is not supported with a clear reason. The response is also 128 words below the required minimum, leaving too little space to address the task fully. Develop both sides, explain your position, and support each main point with an example.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.5

The response has a basic paragraph structure, with an introduction followed by a paragraph beginning “On the one hand,” and the example is connected to the point about morale. This gives the reader some sense of organisation. However, there is no contrasting paragraph or conclusion, so the discussion stops before it can progress through both views and reach a clear final position. The linking phrase “On the one hand” also signals a contrast that is never completed. Use separate paragraphs for each viewpoint, then conclude by restating your opinion; connect each reason and example explicitly so the argument develops in a clear sequence.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use some relevant vocabulary for the topic, including “boost morale,” “substantial amount of time,” “hardships,” and “perks.” These choices help communicate the workplace context and show some range beyond basic everyday words. However, several spelling errors and awkward word choices reduce accuracy, such as “appraoch,” “collegues,” and “priortise.” “Hard working hours” is also an unnatural phrase in this context, and “fraternizing” may sound overly formal or carry an unintended negative tone. Aim for accurate spelling and natural collocations, such as “long working hours” and “socialising with colleagues.” A broader range of precise language would also help you explain the opposing view and your own reasoning.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both a complex opening sentence and a subordinate clause in “as they are spending a substantial amount of time…,” and the main meaning is generally understandable. There is some control of sentence boundaries and basic clause structure. However, the range is limited, with most ideas expressed through straightforward statements, and some grammatical patterns are awkward. For example, “separating the professional and social life” needs clearer article and number choices, while “a group of colleagues who are friends with whom you can share the experience” is cumbersome and difficult to follow. Practise varying sentence forms while keeping clauses concise, and check articles, plurals, and the relationships between clauses.

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