Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-08-20

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)

Everyone wants freedom, not only in terms of physical independence but also in expressing their opinions and making everyday decisions. Nowadays, children want to make their own decisions independently. Some people believe that giving children greater decision-making authority could create a society in which people become more self-centered. I shall describe both opinions, and then I will put my point of view regarding them.

Children desire independence in their daily choices, especially regarding food and clothes. Wanting meals that suit their taste—like ice cream—can cause friction when parents object. Additionally, youth prefer modern fashion trends inspired by social media influencers. Granting children control over these everyday decisions helps boost their confidence.

Opponents have a different view regarding this matter. They argue that children should have the right to choose the field in which they want to pursue their education. To strengthen their argument, they give an example about educational field choice. Their perspective is that every child should have the right to make decisions about the choice of field in which they want to pursue their education, but not all daily life matters. In this way, it is not only safe from any risk but also improves their decision-making skill.

In conclusion, from a freedom point of view, every person has the right to make their own decision, but from a broader perspective, children and society need limitations. From my point of view, to create balance, children should have limited decision-making authority but not for all, which is best for their present as well as for future.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response addresses both views mentioned in the prompt, but the development of ideas is somewhat limited. While you mention the benefits of decision-making for confidence and the counter-argument regarding educational choices, the connection between these choices and the risk of becoming 'self-centered' is not fully explored. The essay touches on the prompt's core conflict but lacks depth in explaining why some believe this leads to a selfish society. Your own opinion is stated in the conclusion, but it would be more effective if it were clearly established in the introduction and consistently supported throughout the body paragraphs to ensure a more cohesive argument.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay is organized into clear paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. You use some cohesive devices, such as 'Additionally' and 'In conclusion', to link ideas. However, the progression of ideas within the second and third paragraphs is slightly disjointed. For instance, the transition between discussing daily choices and the counter-argument about education feels abrupt. To improve, ensure that each paragraph has a clear topic sentence and that the logical flow between sentences is more seamless. The use of referencing could also be improved to avoid repetition.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary used is generally appropriate for the task and conveys your meaning clearly. You use some relevant terms like 'decision-making authority', 'modern fashion trends', and 'broader perspective'. However, the range is somewhat limited and relies on fairly common language. To reach a higher band, try to incorporate more precise, academic collocations and less common vocabulary. For example, instead of saying 'everyday matters', you could use 'trivial daily choices' or 'autonomous decision-making'. There are no significant spelling errors, but the overall lexical variety is sufficient rather than sophisticated.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

You demonstrate a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the grammar is generally accurate and communication is not impeded, there are some minor errors and awkward phrasings, such as 'not all daily life matters' and 'not for all'. The sentence structure is functional but lacks the variety and flexibility required for higher bands. To improve, focus on using a wider range of complex structures, such as conditional sentences or passive voice, and ensure that your sentence fragments are fully developed to maintain grammatical precision throughout the essay.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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