Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-09-30

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)

Few individuals agree that giving freedom to children on daily issues, such as food, clothes, and entertainment, may lead to a society of people who are primarily concerned with their personal desires. Others, however, believe that children must have the opportunity to make decisions about the issues that affect them. In this essay, I will discuss both sides and then give my own opinion.

On the one hand, giving children too much freedom may cause them to become overly focused on their personal desires. Young children are still developing their understanding of responsibility and may naturally choose what is enjoyable rather than what is beneficial. For example, if children are allowed to decide what they eat every day, they may regularly choose fast food, sweets, and other unhealthy options instead of nutritious meals. Similarly, if they can choose all of their entertainment, they may spend excessive amounts of time playing video games or watching television. Over time, this could make them less willing to accept restrictions or consider the needs of other people.

On the other hand, if children are allowed to make their own decisions, they may become independent, and it can be highly beneficial for them. Making decisions makes them responsible and confident, and it also gives them a sense of responsibility. For instance, allowing a child to decide between several healthy meals can teach them about personal preference while still maintaining good eating habits. Similarly, choosing his own clothes encourages them and builds his confidence in public.

In my opinion, allowing children to make decisions about matters that affect them more than others, because it builds their self-belief and motivates them.

In conclusion, unrestricted freedom may encourage children to focus excessively on their own wishes, but completely controlling their choices can prevent them from developing independence.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

The response successfully addresses all parts of the task by discussing both views on whether children should make everyday choices and providing a clear personal opinion. The student establishes a coherent stance right from the introductory paragraph and maintains it throughout the essay. Ideas are extended and supported with relevant examples, such as children choosing fast food versus nutritious meals, or selecting their own clothes. While the final paragraph's opinion is slightly compressed in its phrasing, the main arguments are fully developed and properly explored. The response meets the criteria for Band 7 by fully addressing all parts with a clear position and well-supported ideas.

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 the introduction to the two body paragraphs exploring opposing views, followed by the writer's opinion and conclusion. Cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand', 'On the other hand', 'Similarly', and 'For instance' are used appropriately to guide the reader through the arguments. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and effectively. Although some referencing occasionally wobbles slightly (such as mixing singular and plural pronouns when referring to 'a child' and 'his own clothes'), the overall arrangement remains coherent and easy to follow, earning a solid Band 7.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

The student demonstrates a sufficient range of vocabulary for the task, allowing for flexibility and precision with phrases like 'overly focused', 'unhealthy options', 'independent', and 'unrestricted freedom'. Less common lexical items are attempted, such as 'beneficial', 'excessive amounts', and 'personal preference'. However, there are a few minor lexical inaccuracies and slight repetitions, such as repeating 'responsibility' twice within a single sentence ('responsibility and confident, and it also gives them a sense of responsibility'). Despite these minor flaws, the vocabulary is adequate and allows communication to flow without hindrance, aligning well with Band 6.5 descriptors.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

The writer uses a good mix of simple and complex sentence forms, incorporating conditional structures ('if children are allowed to decide...') and relative clauses successfully. There is reasonable control of grammar and punctuation throughout the essay. However, some minor errors persist, such as a slight pronoun agreement slip in the third paragraph ('allowing a child... teach them... choosing his own clothes... builds his confidence') where singular and plural pronouns clash ('a child... them... his'). Additionally, the sentence expressing the final opinion ('In my opinion, allowing children to make decisions about matters that affect them more than others, because it builds their self-belief and motivates them.') lacks a main verb and is structurally incomplete. These errors do not impede communication, placing the grammar at Band 6.5.

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