Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-11-10

IELTS Writing Task 2 question

Some people believe that allowing children to make their own choices on everyday matters (such as food, clothes and entertainment) is likely to result in a society of individuals who only think about their own wishes. Other people believe that it is important for children to make decisions about matters that affect them.

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 5.5)

Children choosing what they want makes them more independent. when it comes to children's choice one school argues that children making their own choices in daily lives make's them consider only their own wishes another school argues that children should only make decisions about the matters that affect them. I agree that children should only make decisions about matters that affect them.

Children who take decision based on their own choices on everyday matters like eat whatever food they like , buy cloth which caught their eyes or felt good, and going to the wrong movies or any other entertainment places which they are not supposed to go, these may lead to problems because the children may not know the difference between good and bad things and need someone to guide then. when they make their own choices everywhere it may lead them to buy or eat the wrong or unwanted things like they will buy all the cloths whatever they like even if the dress exists with them or eat the junk food which make cause digestion issues and make them fall ill or may even go to the movies or any other entertainment place which may have bad influence on them.

The children should take the correct decision about the matters that affect them because taking the right decision on things which affect them make them to build independence and also can improve their decision making skills and also they get to choose the right things or right decisions which will help them in the long term.

Children making decisions on their own is useful and helpful but it is really important on what kind of decisions they are taking are the decisions good for them and will they be helpful for them in the future. Making the right decisions at the right time matters more.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You present a clear opinion that children should make decisions about matters affecting them, and you give relevant reasons, including developing independence and decision-making skills. You also refer to the concern that children may choose unhealthy food or unsuitable entertainment. However, the discussion of the opposing view is not fully accurate: the prompt asks whether everyday choices may encourage self-centredness, whereas you mainly argue that children might make unsafe or unwise choices. The second view is also stated more than explained, and the examples are general rather than developed. To strengthen the response, explain how everyday choices could foster consideration of others, then clarify which decisions children can make and where adult guidance is needed.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, a paragraph about possible risks, a paragraph supporting children’s decision-making, and a concluding statement. This gives the reader a basic sense of organisation. However, progression between the two views is not always clear, and the conclusion repeats the idea that making the right decisions matters without bringing the discussion together. Several sentences are very long and contain multiple examples joined by commas or repeated “and,” making relationships between points harder to follow. Use clearer topic sentences and divide long sentences into shorter units. Linking phrases such as “On the other hand” and “For this reason” could help signal the contrast and show how each example supports your position.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use relevant vocabulary for the topic, including “independent,” “decision making skills,” “bad influence,” and “long term.” These expressions help communicate your main ideas. However, the range is limited and several words or phrases are repeated, especially “choices,” “decisions,” and “right.” Some combinations are unnatural or imprecise, such as “take decision,” “cloth which caught their eyes,” and “wrong movies.” There are also spelling and word-form problems, including “cloths” where “clothes” is intended. Aim for more precise collocations and vary repeated terms; for example, distinguish between “make a choice,” “exercise judgement,” and “take responsibility.” This would make the argument clearer and more natural.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and complex sentences, including clauses with “because,” “when,” and “which,” but control is inconsistent. Errors in sentence structure and agreement appear in examples such as “Children choosing what they want makes them more independent” and “the junk food which make cause digestion issues.” Some sentences run together, particularly the long list beginning “Children who take decision,” and punctuation does not reliably mark the boundaries between ideas. Capitalisation is also inconsistent after the opening sentence. Practise building accurate sentences around one main idea, checking subject–verb agreement and verb forms, and using full stops to separate examples. More reliable control of these patterns would make your meaning easier to follow.

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