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 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.
On the other hand, opponents argue that On the other hand, critics argue that children lack the foresight to handle total independence, such as choosing an educational field. However, they believe parents should continue to guide them because young people may lack the experience to assess the long-term consequences of their choices. This approach allows children to develop decision-making skills while reducing the risk of inappropriate decisions.Allowing children limited autonomy under parental supervision helps them develop decision-making skills and help them develop independence.While reducing the risk of inappropriate decisions.
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 the future.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response addresses both sides of the argument and provides a clear personal opinion. However, the development of ideas is somewhat uneven. While the first body paragraph touches on the benefits of autonomy, the second paragraph is repetitive and contains fragmented sentences, such as 'While reducing the risk of inappropriate decisions.' This makes the argument feel slightly underdeveloped in places. To reach a higher band, ensure that each point is fully explained with clear examples and that the conclusion synthesizes the arguments rather than just restating them. The position is consistent, but the depth of analysis could be improved by exploring the long-term societal implications mentioned in the prompt more thoroughly.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, and there is an attempt to use cohesive devices like 'On the other hand' and 'In conclusion.' However, there are issues with mechanical repetition and cohesion. For example, the phrase 'On the other hand' is repeated twice consecutively at the start of the second paragraph. Additionally, some sentences are disjointed, such as the final sentence of the second paragraph, which lacks a clear connection to the preceding text. Improving the flow between sentences and avoiding repetitive transitions would significantly enhance the coherence of the writing.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary used is generally adequate for the task, allowing the writer to express their ideas clearly. There is some attempt to use topic-specific vocabulary such as 'decision-making authority,' 'foresight,' and 'autonomy.' However, the range is somewhat limited, and there is a reliance on simpler phrasing. Some word choices are slightly imprecise, such as 'not for all' in the conclusion, which is vague. To improve, the student should focus on using more precise collocations and a wider variety of academic vocabulary to convey nuanced meanings more effectively.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is generally clear, there are several grammatical errors and punctuation issues. For instance, 'i put my point of view' should be capitalized and phrased more formally. There are also sentence fragments, such as 'While reducing the risk of inappropriate decisions,' which should be attached to a main clause. Subject-verb agreement and article usage are mostly accurate, but the frequency of minor errors prevents the response from reaching a higher band. Focusing on sentence boundary control and formalizing the tone would be beneficial.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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