Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-08-31
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)
Many people think that children should be allowed to make their own choices, while others think that parents should make decisions for them. In my opinion, children should be given some freedom to make decisions, but parents should provided proper guidance.
On the one hand, allowing children to make their own choices can have some negative effects. This is because children are not mature enough to understand what is good or bad for them. For example, if children are allowed to choose their food every day, they may prefer fast food such as pizza and burgers instead of healthy meals. As a result, they may develop unhealthy eating habits and face health problems in the future.
On the other hand allowing children to make some decisions can help them become more confident and independent. when children make their own choices they can learn how to make responsibility for their decisions. For example parents can allow their children to choose their clothes hobbies or entertainment while still giving them proper guidance. In this way children can enjoy some freedom without making completely unsuitable decisions.
In conclusion, although giving children complete freedom can have some negative effects allowing them to make suitable choices can help them develop confidence
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response addresses both sides of the argument and provides a clear personal opinion. However, the essay is significantly under the 250-word minimum requirement, which severely limits the depth of development. While the ideas are relevant, they are presented in a somewhat superficial manner. The conclusion is also abrupt and lacks a final summary sentence to round off the argument effectively. To improve, you must expand on your points with more detailed explanations and specific examples to meet the length requirement and demonstrate a more thorough exploration of the topic.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, with a clear introduction, two body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand', 'On the other hand', and 'As a result' are used to link ideas. However, the progression of ideas is somewhat mechanical, and the lack of length makes the overall structure feel underdeveloped. The conclusion is particularly weak, lacking a cohesive transition from the previous paragraph. Improving the use of a wider variety of linking words and ensuring each paragraph has a fully developed concluding thought would enhance the flow.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary used is generally appropriate for the task but remains quite basic and repetitive. Phrases like 'good or bad', 'make decisions', and 'unhealthy eating habits' are functional but lack the sophistication expected at higher bands. There is little evidence of less common lexical items or idiomatic language. To achieve a higher score, you should aim to incorporate more precise vocabulary related to child development and parenting, such as 'autonomy', 'nurture', 'decision-making capacity', or 'long-term implications'.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The essay contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are some grammatical errors, such as 'parents should provided' (should provide) and 'make responsibility for' (take responsibility for). Punctuation is also inconsistent, with missing commas in several places, such as after introductory phrases. While the meaning is generally clear, the range of structures is limited. To improve, focus on using a wider variety of complex sentence forms, such as conditional clauses or relative clauses, and pay closer attention to verb forms and punctuation accuracy.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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