Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-09-25

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)

Nowadays, children are given the freedom to decide what they want to eat, what clothes they want to wear and what sort of entertainment they want to watch. Some people argue that giving children this freedom will make them self-centred. In contrast, others believe that allowing children to make their own decisions can help them become disciplined and self-controlled. This essay will discuss both viewpoints and give my opinion.

To begin with, allowing children to make decisions about everyday matters can lead them to make choices that are not beneficial to them. For instance, if they are allowed to eat whatever they want, they may prefer to consume street food, sweets and other unhealthy drinks and snacks, which can have a detrimental effect on their well-being. Similarly, if they are given complete freedom to choose their entertainment, they may spend excessive amounts of time watching online content and playing video games. Consequently, this can have a negative effect not only on their physical health but also on their mental well-being. Therefore, allowing children to make all their own daily choices may gradually encourage them to prioritise their own wishes.

On the other hand, it is important to give children some freedom to make their own decisions, as this can help them become more confident, self-disciplined and independent. For example, they should be given the opportunity to choose subjects and extracurricular activities that interest them. Additionally, making mistakes while making decisions can teach children to be more careful and responsible in the future. Although giving children complete freedom may have some negative consequences, allowing them to make age-appropriate choices can help them develop a strong sense of responsibility.

In my view, children should be allowed to make their own choices, but under the guidance of their parents and other responsible adults. Parents should monitor their children's activities and correct them whenever necessary. This balanced approach can help children develop independence while preventing them from making harmful choices.

To conclude, parents should allow their children to make their own decisions, but within reasonable limits. They should explain the advantages and disadvantages of different choices and guide their children when necessary. This will help them become more responsible and independent adults.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

The student has successfully addressed all parts of the prompt. Both views regarding whether allowing children to make choices leads to self-centredness or positive discipline are discussed in detail. Furthermore, the writer provides a clear personal opinion throughout the essay, which is further refined and supported in the concluding paragraphs. Ideas are well-extended with relevant examples, such as mentioning unhealthy food and video game habits to illustrate the risks, and choosing extracurricular activities to highlight the benefits. The response meets all task requirements thoroughly, earning a well-deserved band 7.0 for addressing all parts of the task with a clear position and well-supported ideas.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The essay displays clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Each paragraph has a distinct focus, beginning with a strong introduction, followed by balanced body paragraphs examining both sides, and concluding with a synthesis of the author's opinion. Cohesive devices are used effectively to guide the reader, such as 'To begin with', 'On the other hand', and 'In my view'. Paragraphing is managed sufficiently and appropriately, ensuring that the structure flows naturally. Although the cohesive devices are somewhat standard rather than highly sophisticated, they are deployed accurately and maintain a strong overall coherence. This performance aligns comfortably with the descriptors for a band 7.0 in this criterion.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.5

The student demonstrates a sufficient range of vocabulary with good flexibility and precision. Words and phrases such as 'self-centred', 'detrimental effect', 'well-being', and 'age-appropriate choices' reflect a strong control of lexical resource. There are occasional attempts at less common items with general success. While the vocabulary is not excessively sophisticated throughout, it is precise enough to convey subtle meanings without impeding communication. Spelling and word choice are generally accurate, earning a solid band 7.0 based on the student's ability to use a flexible and functional range of vocabulary.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.5

The response features a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures, including conditional forms ('if they are allowed to...') and concessive clauses ('Although giving children complete freedom...'). There are frequent error-free sentences, demonstrating good control of grammar and punctuation. Minor slips are rare and do not impede communication at any point. The grammatical control is consistent, and the sentence patterns are varied enough to show flexibility. This level of grammatical accuracy and range satisfies the criteria for a band 7.0.

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