Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-08-12
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 7.5)
Some people believe that allowing children to make their own choices may encourage them to become selfish individuals who focus only on their personal wishes. Others argue that children should be allowed to make decisions about matters that affect them. In my opinion, children should have some freedom, provided that parents set reasonable boundaries.
On the one hand, giving children complete freedom can have negative consequences. If they are always allowed to choose whatever they want, they may develop the belief that their desires should always be prioritised. For example, a child who is permitted to eat fast food whenever they want may develop unhealthy habits. Similarly, children who are never taught to compromise may become less considerate of other people's needs. Therefore, parents should establish appropriate limits and teach children that they cannot always get what they want.
On the other hand, allowing children to make age-appropriate decisions can help them become independent and responsible adults. When children make choices, they also learn to accept the consequences of their decisions. For instance, parents could allow a child to choose their clothes, select a hobby or decide which healthy meal they would like to eat. If the decision turns out to be unsuitable, the child can learn from the experience. This can develop confidence, responsibility and decision-making skills.
In my view, a balanced approach is the best solution. Children should be given freedom in everyday matters, while parents should continue to guide them on important issues related to health, education and safety.
In conclusion, although excessive freedom may encourage selfish behaviour, allowing children to make suitable decisions has greater long-term benefits when combined with proper parental guidance.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.5 |
| Overall | 7.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5
The response fully addresses all parts of the task. You have discussed both perspectives clearly and provided a consistent, well-supported opinion throughout the essay. The ideas are well-developed, such as the distinction between 'unhealthy habits' resulting from excessive freedom and the 'confidence and responsibility' gained from age-appropriate decision-making. The introduction clearly states your position, and the conclusion effectively synthesizes your argument. The essay is balanced, and the examples provided are relevant and help to extend your arguments logically. There are no omissions, and the response stays focused on the prompt from start to finish.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5
The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central topic, and the transition between the two opposing views is handled smoothly using cohesive devices like 'On the one hand' and 'On the other hand'. Referencing is clear, and the use of linking words such as 'Similarly', 'Therefore', and 'For instance' helps to guide the reader through your argument without being repetitive or mechanical. Paragraphing is used effectively to separate the different stages of your discussion, contributing to an overall sense of coherence.
Lexical Resource — Band 6.5
You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with precision. You use appropriate collocations such as 'age-appropriate decisions', 'long-term benefits', and 'parental guidance'. While the vocabulary is accurate and fits the context well, it is functional rather than highly sophisticated. To reach a higher band, you could incorporate more nuanced or less common lexical items to express your ideas with greater flair. However, the current range is more than adequate for the task, and there are no errors in word choice that impede communication.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5
The response displays a good variety of complex structures, such as conditional sentences ('If they are always allowed to choose...') and subordinate clauses ('although excessive freedom may encourage...'). The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation and grammar is strong. There are no significant grammatical errors that hinder the reader's understanding. The sentence structures are varied, which helps maintain the flow of the essay. Your control over tense and subject-verb agreement is consistent throughout the piece.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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