Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-09-20

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)

There is considerable debate over whether children should be given the freedom to make decisions about everyday matters or whether doing so may encourage excessive self-centredness. While unrestricted choice could potentially make some children less considerate of others, I believe that allowing them to make age-appropriate decisions is essential for developing independence, responsibility and sound judgement.

On the one hand, giving children too much freedom may contribute to a self-centred attitude. If young people are consistently allowed to choose whatever they want, they may become accustomed to having their preferences prioritised over those of others. For example, a child who is always permitted to choose expensive food, fashionable clothes or entertainment without considering the family's financial circumstances may gradually develop unrealistic expectations. Moreover, if parents rarely impose boundaries, children may struggle to understand the importance of compromise and respecting other people's needs. In the long term, this could produce adults who are less willing to cooperate or accept decisions that do not correspond with their personal wishes.

On the other hand, involving children in decisions that directly affect them has substantial benefits. Making choices teaches children that their actions have consequences and gradually prepares them for the responsibilities of adulthood. For instance, parents might allow a child to decide which clothes to wear, what extracurricular activity to pursue, or which healthy meal to have from a limited range of options. Such experiences enable children to develop problem-solving and decision-making skills while also giving them a sense of autonomy. Importantly, this does not mean that children should be given unlimited freedom. Parents can establish reasonable boundaries while still allowing their children to make choices within those limits. This approach can help young people become independent without becoming inconsiderate.

In my view, therefore, children should be encouraged to make decisions about everyday matters, but this freedom should be balanced with appropriate parental guidance. Rather than making every decision for their children, parents should provide several suitable options, explain the consequences of different choices and allow their children to select among them. This would help children understand both personal responsibility and the importance of considering others.

In conclusion, excessive freedom may encourage self-centred behaviour if children are never taught to consider other people's needs. Nevertheless, age-appropriate decision-making is an important part of healthy development. The most effective approach is to combine children's autonomy with clear boundaries and parental guidance, thereby preparing them to become both independent and socially responsible adults.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the task by discussing both views—the potential for self-centredness and the benefits of autonomy—while maintaining a clear and well-developed personal position throughout. The introduction sets up the discussion effectively, and the body paragraphs present relevant ideas that are extended and supported with appropriate examples, such as 'a child who is always permitted to choose expensive food'. The reasoning is logical and the arguments are balanced, covering both sides comprehensively before concluding with a cohesive synthesis. The criteria for Band 8 are fully met as all parts of the task are covered well with well-developed ideas.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

Ideas are logically sequenced, and there is a clear progression throughout the response. Each paragraph has a distinct central topic, starting with a well-formulated introduction, moving through contrasting body paragraphs ('On the one hand', 'On the other hand'), and culminating in a clear summary and conclusion. Cohesive devices are used naturally and effectively without being mechanical, as seen in expressions like 'Moreover' and 'In my view, therefore'. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately, ensuring the overall structure is easy to follow and navigate.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

The student demonstrates a wide, fluent, and flexible range of vocabulary appropriate for an academic response. Less common items and collocations are used skilfully and naturally, such as 'unrestricted choice', 'financial circumstances', 'unrealistic expectations', and 'extracurricular activity'. Word choice and collocations are generally very precise, with only occasional minor slips. The spelling and word formation are entirely accurate throughout the text, allowing the communication of complex ideas to flow smoothly and effectively.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The response displays a wide variety of complex sentence structures, including conditional clauses ('If young people are consistently allowed to choose...') and participial phrases, used with a high degree of control. The majority of sentences are entirely error-free. Punctuation is handled accurately, and grammatical structures are managed with precision. Although occasional minor slips could occur at higher bands, the grammatical accuracy here is strong, consistent, and supports clear communication across the entire essay.

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