Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-08-07
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 6.0)
Some people argue that giving children the freedom to make decisions on their own may teach them to be selfish, while others say that it is necessary to let them grow independently. The essay will present both sides and provide a personal opinion.
On the one hand, it is crucial to admit that exaggerated freedom may lead to some negative consequences, which would worsen children’s behaviour and attitudes. For instance, if a kid is allowed to choose what to eat on his own, he will tend to prefer junk food over healthy vegetables and fruits. On the other hand, if children are given an opportunity to do whatever they want, they will not realize the importance of their future plans and will not be motivated to study and work. As a result, too much freedom may make kids spoiled and undisciplined.
On the other hand, it is critical to point out that giving children the freedom to make some decisions on their own may help them to become independent and responsible individuals. For instance, the kids will be able to learn how to struggle for their goals and dreams without asking their parents for help. Moreover, when people are given an opportunity to choose what to wear, what to do in their free time, what to play, etc., they become more confident and self-sufficient. In addition, this will make parents reassess their roles in the family and acknowledge their children’s opinions.
To conclude, in my opinion, it is essential to let kids choose what to prefer. However, parents should still take care of their children and monitor their activities, as well as make important decisions concerning their kids’ education, health, and lives. Consequently, giving children some freedom will make them independent, while parents’ control will ensure their safety and help them to become mature and strong individuals.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 6.0 |
| Overall | 6.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0
The response addresses all parts of the prompt, discussing both viewpoints and providing a clear personal opinion in the conclusion. The ideas are relevant and generally well-developed. For instance, the argument regarding the potential for children to become 'spoiled and undisciplined' is logically linked to the lack of motivation. However, the development of the second viewpoint could be more nuanced; while the benefits of independence are mentioned, the link between choosing clothes and becoming 'self-sufficient' is slightly superficial. Overall, the position is consistent throughout the essay, and the response meets the requirements of the task effectively.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, two body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand', 'On the other hand', 'Moreover', and 'Consequently' are used effectively to guide the reader through the arguments. Paragraphing is used appropriately, with each paragraph focusing on a central theme. The progression of ideas is clear, although some transitions between sentences within paragraphs could be more sophisticated to improve the flow. Overall, the structure is coherent and easy to follow.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is generally appropriate and sufficient for the task. The student uses some good collocations such as 'negative consequences', 'independent and responsible individuals', and 'self-sufficient'. There are some instances where the word choice could be more precise; for example, 'struggle for their goals' is slightly awkward, and 'choose what to prefer' is a bit redundant. While the range is adequate, it does not consistently demonstrate the 'less common' vocabulary required for a higher band. However, the meaning is always clear, and there are no significant spelling or word-choice errors.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0
The essay displays a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There is good control over basic grammar, and complex structures are attempted with reasonable success, such as the conditional sentence 'if a kid is allowed to choose... he will tend to prefer'. There are some minor grammatical slips, such as 'the kids will be able to learn' (the definite article is unnecessary here) and 'choose what to prefer'. However, these errors are infrequent and do not impede communication. The punctuation is generally accurate, and the sentence variety is sufficient to maintain interest.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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