Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.0 · 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 7.0)
Some people believe that allowing children to make their own choices can make them selfish and only concerned about their own wishes. However, others think that children should be allowed to make decisions about things that affect them. In my opinion, children should be given some freedom, but parents should also provide proper guidance.
On the one hand, giving children too much freedom can have some disadvantages. If children are allowed to choose everything they want, they may start believing that their wishes are more important than the needs of other people. For example, if parents always allow their children to eat fast food or buy expensive toys whenever they ask, children may become demanding. They may also find it difficult to accept rules or compromise with others. As a result, they could develop selfish behaviour that may affect their relationships in the future.
On the other hand, allowing children to make some decisions can help them become more independent. When children make their own choices, they learn how to take responsibility for the results. For instance, parents can allow children to choose their clothes, food from healthy options, or activities they want to participate in. If they make a poor decision, they can understand their mistake and make a better choice next time. This can improve their confidence and decision-making skills.
In my opinion, children should have freedom in everyday matters, but this freedom should have reasonable limits. Parents should guide them when decisions involve their health, education or safety. This approach can help children become independent without becoming selfish.
In conclusion, although giving children complete freedom can encourage selfishness, allowing them to make suitable decisions has important benefits. Therefore, a balance between freedom and parental guidance is the best approach.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.0 |
| Overall | 7.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0
The response addresses all parts of the prompt, discussing both perspectives and providing a clear personal opinion. The position is consistent throughout the essay. Ideas are well-developed, particularly in the second and third paragraphs, where the author provides logical consequences for both excessive freedom and balanced guidance. The examples provided, such as choosing clothes or food, are relevant and support the arguments effectively. The essay is well-structured and directly answers the prompt, meeting the requirements for a Band 7.0 or 8.0. To reach a higher band, the analysis could be slightly more nuanced, perhaps exploring the long-term societal implications mentioned in the prompt more deeply.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5
The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph has a central topic, and the progression of ideas is smooth. Cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand', 'On the other hand', 'For example', and 'In conclusion' are used effectively to guide the reader. The paragraphing is logical and contributes to the overall clarity of the argument. The transition between the two opposing views and the author's own opinion is seamless, demonstrating a good command of organizational structure.
Lexical Resource — Band 6.5
The vocabulary used is appropriate and sufficient for the task. The writer demonstrates a good range of topic-specific vocabulary, such as 'demanding', 'compromise', 'independent', and 'parental guidance'. While the range is adequate and allows for precise expression, it lacks the 'less common' or 'sophisticated' lexical items that would typically characterize a Band 8 or 9 response. However, there are no significant errors in word choice or collocation, and the language is natural and clear throughout the text.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0
The essay displays a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. The grammar is generally accurate, with very few errors. The use of conditional sentences ('If children are allowed...', 'If they make a poor decision...') is handled correctly, which adds to the grammatical variety. Punctuation is used correctly to enhance readability. While the structures are sound, the essay does not consistently demonstrate the 'wide range of complex structures' required for the highest bands, but the control over the structures used is very strong, resulting in a high level of accuracy.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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