Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-09-12

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 6.5)

It is argued that empowering children to decide on their own for everyday matters is prone to a society of citizens who will think of their own wellbeing while others believe that it is crucial for youngsters to make their decisions that will affect them in future. I agree to some extent that youth should have the power to decide on their own in order to be independent and be a responsible citizen.

Allowing youth to make decisions by themselves is essential for fostering independence. When young people are permitted to choose their own clothes, food, or educational paths, they learn to rely on their own judgment rather than constantly depending on their parents. This autonomy acts as a vital life skill because parents will not be around to guide them forever. Furthermore, making personal choices forces youngsters to take full responsibility for the outcomes, whether good or bad, which accelerates their transition into mature and accountable adults. For example, a student who chooses their own university major is far more likely to take their studies seriously and own up to their academic performance than one forced into a field by their parents.

On the other hand, granting children unrestricted freedom can make them self-centered and inconsiderate of others. When young individuals are allowed to make major choices without guidance, they often prioritize immediate gratification over family welfare. For instance, many youngsters in India demand or purchase expensive luxury items, such as iPhones, independently, without considering the financial constraints of their parents. This lack of financial oversight and empathy can ultimately foster a generation of materialistic individuals who fail to understand the true value of money or respect their family’s economic realities.

To sum up, although it is a positive belief to permit children to make choices on their own, however it is crucial for parents to guide the youth in financial circumstances and guide them in taking big steps in life.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response addresses all parts of the prompt by discussing both views—that allowing children freedom creates self-centered citizens, and that decision-making is vital for personal development—while clearly stating the writer's own opinion. The position is maintained throughout the essay. Ideas are extended and supported with relevant explanations and examples, such as the university major example and the scenario involving luxury items in India. While the exploration is slightly general in places, it fully meets the requirements for Band 7 by presenting a clear position and well-developed supporting arguments that directly answer the task.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay displays a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Each paragraph has a distinct focus, moving smoothly from an introduction to body paragraphs discussing both perspectives, and concluding with a summary. Cohesive devices such as 'Furthermore', 'On the other hand', and 'For instance' are used effectively to guide the reader through the argument. Paragraphing is used appropriately, and referencing throughout the text remains clear, ensuring the overall structure is coherent and easy to follow, aligning well with the Band 7 descriptors.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The student demonstrates a sufficient range of vocabulary with some flexibility and precision, using phrases like 'fostering independence', 'immediate gratification', and 'financial constraints'. Less common lexical items are attempted, such as 'autonomy', 'accountable', and 'materialistic'. There are occasional slight awkwardnesses in phrasing, such as 'decide on their own for everyday matters' instead of 'about everyday matters', but these do not impede communication. The vocabulary is adequate for the task and shows a good awareness of academic style.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The writer uses a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures, including conditional and relative clauses ('When young individuals are allowed to...', 'a student who chooses...'). There are frequent error-free sentences, alongside a few minor grammatical slips, notably in the conclusion where a redundant conjunction appears ('although it is a positive belief... however it is crucial...'). Punctuation and sentence boundaries are generally well controlled. The majority of sentences are accurate, supporting a solid Band 7 rating.

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