Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-09-07

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)

Some people believe that allowing children to make their own choices about everyday matters may cause them to become self-centred, while others argue that children should be given the freedom to make decisions about matters that affect them. I believe that children should be allowed to make choices about minor issues, but parents should provide appropriate guidance and set reasonable boundaries.

Allowing children to make their own decisions can help them develop confidence and independence. When children are given the opportunity to express their preferences, they learn that their opinions are valued and become more comfortable making decisions. For example, allowing a child to choose the food they would like to take to school or the extracurricular activity they want to participate in can encourage them to express their preferences. This can also teach them to take responsibility for their choices. Furthermore, children who are encouraged to express their opinions may become more confident in speaking up when they encounter problems. This could be particularly useful in situations involving peer pressure or bullying, as confident children may be more willing to report inappropriate behaviour rather than simply accepting it.

On the other hand, giving children excessive freedom may cause them to become self-centred and develop a sense of entitlement. If children are constantly allowed to have whatever they want without considering the needs of others, they may begin to believe that their preferences should always come first. For instance, a child who is always allowed to choose what the family watches on television or what activities everyone participates in may become less willing to compromise. Over time, this behaviour could affect the child's ability to cooperate with others and develop a sense of community. Therefore, parents need to ensure that children understand that having the freedom to make choices also involves considering how those choices affect other people.

In conclusion, I believe that children should be allowed to make decisions about minor matters that affect them because this can help develop their confidence, independence and ability to express their opinions. However, parents should provide guidance and establish appropriate limits to prevent children from becoming selfish or entitled.

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 self-centredness and the benefits of fostering independence—and provided a clear, consistent personal opinion in the introduction and conclusion. The ideas are well-developed, with relevant examples such as choosing extracurricular activities and the impact on family decision-making. The argument is balanced and logically extended throughout the essay. To reach a higher band, you could further deepen the analysis by exploring the long-term societal implications of these parenting styles, but the current level of development is strong and meets the requirements for a high score.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between the two viewpoints is smooth, using effective cohesive devices such as 'On the other hand' and 'Furthermore'. The use of referencing is accurate, and the paragraphing is appropriate for the task. The flow of information is natural, and the relationship between ideas is easy to follow. There is no evidence of mechanical or repetitive use of linking words, and the overall structure supports the argument effectively throughout the response.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with precision. Phrases such as 'sense of entitlement', 'inappropriate behaviour', and 'willing to compromise' are used naturally and accurately. The vocabulary is varied and appropriate for an academic context. While the range is good, it could be slightly more sophisticated to reach the highest band. For example, instead of 'minor issues', you might use 'trivial matters' or 'insignificant choices'. However, the current usage is precise, and there are no errors in word choice or collocation that impede communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay displays a good variety of complex sentence structures, such as conditional clauses ('If children are constantly allowed...') and relative clauses ('...children who are encouraged...'). The majority of sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation and grammar is consistent. There are no significant errors that cause confusion or difficulty for the reader. The grammatical control is strong, and the use of modal verbs and complex structures is handled with confidence. To improve further, ensure that you continue to vary your sentence length and structure to maintain a high level of fluency.

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