Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-08-28

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)

In recent years, there has been considerable debate about whether children should be allowed to make their own choices in everyday matters. While some people believe that this can encourage selfish behaviour, others argue that children should be given the opportunity to make decisions about issues that affect them. In my opinion, children should have a certain degree of freedom, although parents should establish reasonable boundaries.

On the one hand, giving children complete freedom to make everyday choices may cause them to become self-centred and develop a sense of entitlement. If parents constantly allow their children to choose whatever they want, children may begin to believe that their personal wishes are more important than the needs of others. Consequently, they may become less willing to share, compromise or follow rules. For example, a child who is always allowed to choose expensive clothes, unhealthy food or any form of entertainment may expect others to satisfy their demands and could find it difficult to accept situations in which they cannot get what they want. Therefore, excessive freedom during childhood may have negative effects on an individual's behaviour in later life.

On the other hand, allowing children to make appropriate decisions can help them develop important skills for their future. When children are given the opportunity to choose their clothes, hobbies, food or recreational activities, they learn to think independently and take responsibility for their decisions. Moreover, making choices from an early age can improve their confidence and problem-solving abilities. For instance, parents can allow a child to choose which extracurricular activity they would like to participate in while setting limits on issues such as screen time and bedtime. In this way, children can develop independence without becoming overly self-focused.

In conclusion, although allowing children too much freedom may make them selfish and unwilling to compromise, giving them appropriate opportunities to make their own decisions is important for their personal development. I believe that the best approach is for parents to give children freedom within reasonable boundaries so that they can become both independent and considerate members of society.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You have clearly discussed both perspectives—the potential for selfishness and the benefits of independent decision-making—and provided a clear, consistent opinion throughout the essay. The ideas are well-developed, with logical explanations and relevant examples, such as the mention of extracurricular activities and screen time. The position is maintained from the introduction through to the conclusion, demonstrating a strong grasp of the task requirements. The arguments are balanced and logically extended, meeting the criteria for a high band score.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central topic sentence, and the transition between the two viewpoints is smooth, using effective cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand', 'On the other hand', 'Consequently', and 'Moreover'. The paragraphing is appropriate, with a clear introduction, two body paragraphs, and a concise conclusion. The use of referencing is accurate, and the flow of information is natural throughout the text, making the argument easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with precision. Phrases such as 'sense of entitlement', 'independent decision-making', and 'considerate members of society' are used effectively. While the vocabulary is accurate and appropriate for the academic context, it occasionally leans towards standard collocations rather than highly sophisticated or uncommon lexical items. However, the word choice is consistently natural and precise, and there are no errors in spelling or word formation that impede communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay displays a good variety of complex sentence structures, including conditional clauses ('If parents constantly allow...') and concessive clauses ('Although allowing children...'). The grammar is highly accurate, with the majority of sentences being error-free. Punctuation is used correctly to support the structure of the arguments. There is a strong command of tense and subject-verb agreement. Given the consistent control and the successful use of varied sentence forms, the writing is clear and professional throughout.

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