Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-09-19

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 5.0)

Some argue that giving options for young adults on putting their own on every issue makes them selfish, while others respect childrens ideas on their own life, which makes them to understand right from wrong.

overall, i believe that, on balance, making decisions is important to know what is right and being independent.

On one hand, making decision in our life makes one to face the challenges of our choices, which makes use to slove the problems that comes from our decision making and it make us independent by not depending on others. For example, making choice on what one want to study rather that going with the parents decision, our choices may open the problems but it also makes us create the solution to achieve the one we want.

On other hand making choices by ego can make a person selfish, for example wearing dress not suited but want to wear only to impress others, by this it not only effect our decision making incorrect but also make other belive we are wrong.

In conclution, making our own options is good to know the ways in life whather it is good or bad and finding oue way in life it might be by facing challenges or gaining experiance in life.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response attempts to discuss both views regarding children making everyday choices and provides a personal opinion. However, the length requirement has not been met, as the essay contains only 211 words, falling significantly short of the 250-word minimum. This under-length impacts the overall development of ideas. While the writer touches upon the argument that autonomy leads to selfishness and the counter-argument about independence and problem-solving, the ideas remain underdeveloped and lack specific, well-elaborated examples. The position is stated but lacks the full extension expected for higher bands. Consequently, the performance aligns best with a Band 5.0.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The essay is divided into paragraphs, including an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion, which provides a basic structural framework. However, the progression of ideas is often disjointed and lacks a clear overall flow. Cohesive devices are used awkwardly or inaccurately, such as starting paragraphs with 'On one hand' and 'On other hand' without smooth transitions, and spelling errors like 'in conclution' disrupt the flow. Referencing is also occasionally unclear, making it difficult to follow the logical links between sentences. The paragraphing is rudimentary. These features reflect the characteristics of a Band 5.0 for Coherence and Cohesion.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary used is generally basic and repetitive, with frequent reliance on simple words like 'choices', 'life', and 'things'. There are noticeable lexical inaccuracies and awkward word choices, such as 'putting their own on every issue', 'making options', and 'wearing dress not suited'. Spelling errors are also present, including 'slove' instead of 'solve' and 'whather' instead of 'whether'. While the vocabulary is minimally adequate to convey a basic message, the limited range and frequent errors that occasionally cause difficulty for the reader place this response firmly in the Band 5.0 category.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 4.0

The essay displays a very limited range of grammatical structures. Most complex sentence attempts are faulty and tangled, resulting in run-on sentences with severe structural issues, such as: 'On one hand, making decision in our life makes one to face the challenges of our choices, which makes use to slove the problems...'. There are frequent errors in verb forms, subject-verb agreement, and punctuation, alongside lowercase starting letters at the beginning of sentences (e.g., 'overall, i believe'). Although simple sentences are occasionally accurate, the high frequency of grammatical errors causes strain and difficulty for the reader, matching the Band 4.0 descriptors closely.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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