Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-08-17

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)

The concept of children's autonomy in everyday life matters is a widely debated topic among societies because some believe that it leads to self-centred behaviour, while the others think that it is crucial for their development. I firmly believe that it is definitely vital for children to be able to make their own choices in such simple situations as it helps them express themselves and handle the responsibility of their own choices, as long as it is harmless for their wellbeing.

In one hand, children lack experience and maturity in order to make decisions, as they might lean to what is enjoyable rather than beneficial for them. While their parents can make choices based on safety, health, and logic. For example, a toddler might request having fast foods everyday, but parents need to control their diet because they are aware of the health consequences.

In the other hand, allowing the younger generations freedom of choice in routine matters can help them develop their independence. In addition, everyday choices, such as food, clothes, or entertainment, let them develop their preferences and unique personalities, while teaching them to accept consequences. For instance, allowing a child to pick their everyday clothes teaches them how to make decisions without relying too much on their parents.

Altogether, there are contrasting views on how much autonomy a child can have in basic daily life situations and how could it affect them on long term. I personally see that children should be able to make minor choices independently, still under their parents' supervision. Consequently, they can express their interests and preferences safely, while learning independence and responsibility.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, discussing both perspectives and providing a clear personal opinion. The ideas are relevant and logically developed. For instance, the argument regarding the development of independence through small choices is well-supported by the example of choosing clothes. However, the development of the opposing view could be slightly more nuanced; while the example of diet is effective, the discussion on 'self-centred behaviour' mentioned in the introduction is not explicitly revisited in the body paragraphs. Overall, the position is consistent throughout, and the response successfully meets the requirements of the task.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between the opposing views is managed well using phrases like 'In one hand' and 'In the other hand'. However, the use of 'In one hand' is a slight misuse of the idiomatic expression 'On the one hand'. Cohesive devices are generally used effectively, though some transitions feel slightly mechanical. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the introduction, the two body paragraphs, and the conclusion, which helps the reader follow the argument easily.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary is adequate for the task and allows for clear communication. The student uses some topic-specific vocabulary such as 'autonomy', 'self-centred behaviour', and 'consequences'. There are a few minor errors in collocation, such as 'request having fast foods' instead of 'request fast food' or 'request to have fast food'. While the range is sufficient to convey the intended meaning, it lacks the variety and precision of less common lexical items that would be required for a higher band score. The word choices are generally accurate but remain somewhat basic.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The student demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There is a good attempt at using complex sentences, such as 'While their parents can make choices based on safety, health, and logic.' However, there are some grammatical inaccuracies, such as 'how could it affect them on long term' (should be 'in the long term') and the aforementioned 'In one hand' error. Punctuation is generally correct, and these minor errors do not impede the reader's understanding. To reach a higher band, the student should aim for more consistent control over complex structures and avoid minor prepositional errors.

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