Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-09-13

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)

SOME PARENTS HAVE AN OPINION THAT ALLOWING THEIR KIDS TO MAKE DECISIONS ON DAILY MATTERS LIKE FOOD ,CLOTHES ETC WILL RESULT IN A GROUP OF PEOPLE WHO WILL ONLY THINK ABOUT THEIR OWN WISHES. ON THE OTHER HAND, OTHER INDIVIDUALS FEEL LIKE THIS IS IMPORTANT TO ALLOW THEIR CHILDREN TO TAKE DECISIONS ABOUT THE MATTERS THAT AFFECT THEM.

OVERALL, IN MY OPINION, IT IS REALLY IMPORTANT FOR PARENTS TO GIVE THIS RIGHT TO THEIR CHILDREN TO MAKE THEIR OWN DECISIONS.

TO MAKE DECISIONS ON FOOD, CLOTHES OR ANY KIND OF ENTERTAINMENT ALLOWS CHILDREN TO THINK WISELY AND ENABLE THEM TO IMPROVISE IN TAKING DECISIONS. MOREOVER, CHILDREN WOULD NOT THEN OVER DEPEND ON THEIR PARENTS FOR SUCH THINGS. IF A LOT RESTRICTIONS ARE PUT ON CHILDREN, THE CHILD FEELS SUFFOCATED AND SOMEHOW LOSES CONFIDENCE. IT IS NOT TRUE THAT ALLOWING CHILDREN TO TAKE DECISIONS ON THESE THINGS WOULD MAKE THEM SELFISH.

GIVING A CHANCE TO CHILDREN TO MAKE DECISIONS ON MATTERS THAT AFFECT THEM ALLOW THEM TO DIFFERENTIATE BETWEEN RIGHT AND WRONG. THIS IS CRUCIAL IN A WAY THAT THE CHILD WOULD NOT FEEL A CERTAIN PRESSURE FROM THEIR PARENTS.

A FRIEND OF MINE WENT FROM DEPRESSION AND A LOT OF MENTAL ISSUES JUST BECAUSE HER PARENTS WOULD CONTROL HER LIFE WITH A BELIEF THAT IT IS GOOD FOR THEIR DAUGHTER. BUT PARENTS SHOULD REALLY UNDERSTAND THAT IT WOULD AFFECT THEIR CHILDREN IN A WAY THAT THEIR OWN CHILD WOULD NOT FEEL SAFE AROUND THEIR PARENTS AND WOULD MAINTAIN DISTANCE FROM THEIR PARENTS.

IN CONCLUSION, A CHILD SHOULD BE GIVEN THIS RIGHT TO TAKE DECISIONS OF THEIR LIVES,BUT IF A TOPIC IS SERIOUS THEN CHILDREN SHOULD ALSO TAKE ADVICE FROM THEIR PARENTS AS THERE ARE NO BIG SUPPORTERS IN LIFE OTHER THAN PARENTS.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response addresses all parts of the task by discussing both views on whether children should make everyday decisions and provides a clear personal opinion in the introduction and conclusion. Ideas are relevant and extended, such as explaining how decision-making fosters confidence and prevents over-dependence. However, some arguments lack deeper development and rely on broad assertions, such as the claim that restrictive parenting leads to a suffocating environment, without exploring alternative perspectives more thoroughly. Additionally, the personal anecdote about a friend suffering from depression is somewhat abrupt and only loosely tied back to the core prompt. Despite these minor limitations, the overall stance is consistent and all aspects of the task are adequately covered, aligning well with the Band 6 descriptors.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay presents a coherent overall arrangement with a clear progression of ideas from the introduction to the body paragraphs and conclusion. Paragraphing is utilised to separate distinct points, though the use of all-capital letters throughout the entire response detracts from standard professional presentation. Cohesive devices are generally functional, with phrases like 'on the other hand' and 'moreover' helping to guide the reader through the argument. However, referencing is occasionally repetitive, and logical transitions between some sentences could be smoother, particularly around the integration of the personal example in the fourth paragraph. Overall, the organizational structure is logical and easy to follow, supporting a solid Band 6 performance.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, attempting some less common phrases such as 'over-depend', 'suffocated', and 'differentiate between right and wrong'. Word choice is generally appropriate and sufficient to communicate the intended meaning, although some phrasing feels conversational rather than academic, such as 'mental issues' and 'big supporters'. There are minor lexical inaccuracies and punctuation issues around spacing (e.g., 'FOOD ,CLOTHES'), but these do not impede communication. The vocabulary meets the core requirements for Band 6, showing an ability to discuss everyday matters and psychological impacts with reasonable clarity.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The writing features a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, demonstrating attempts at subordination and conditional structures, such as 'if a lot restrictions are put on children...' and 'if a topic is serious then children should also take advice...'. However, there are noticeable grammatical errors and awkward phrasing throughout the text, including missing articles and preposition errors, such as 'went from depression' instead of 'suffered from depression' and 'a lot restrictions' instead of 'a lot of restrictions'. Punctuation is also inconsistent, particularly with spacing around commas and the exclusive use of capital letters. While these errors are frequent, they rarely impede communication, placing the grammar firmly in the Band 6 category.

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