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)
Some people believe that children should be free to make their own decisions in everyday matters, while others argue that this may encourage them to become selfish. In my opinion, children should gradually be given the freedom to make choices because it helps them become independent and responsible adults. This essay will discuss both views.
On the one hand, those who oppose giving children too much freedom believe that they may start prioritizing their own desires over the needs of others. If children are always allowed to choose what they eat, wear or do for entertainment, they may become unwilling to accept rules or compromise. As a result, they could develop an egoistic mindset that negatively affects their relationships with family, friends and society. For example, a child who is never taught to consider others may find it difficult to cooperate in school or the workplace.
On the other hand, allowing children to make decisions about matters that affect them is a crucial component of their development. Making choices teaches them responsibility, problem-solving skills and confidence. Although they may occasionally make poor decisions, they can learn valuable lessons from their mistakes with guidance from their parents. For instance, letting a child choose their hobbies or clothing can help them develop their personality while still respecting reasonable boundaries.
In conclusion, although unlimited freedom may encourage selfish behavior, I believe that children should be given appropriate opportunities to make their own decisions under parental guidance. This approach helps them become independent, confident and responsible members of society.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.0 |
| Overall | 6.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5
The response addresses all parts of the task well, discussing both views regarding children making their own choices and clearly presenting the writer's own opinion. The position is maintained throughout the essay. Ideas are well-developed and supported with relevant explanations and examples, such as the mention of how a child who is never taught to consider others may struggle in school or the workplace. The content is fully relevant to the prompt, and the arguments flow logically from introduction to conclusion, meeting the band 7 descriptor standards effectively.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5
The essay demonstrates a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Each paragraph has a clear central topic, starting with a well-formulated introduction, followed by balanced body paragraphs, and a concise conclusion. Cohesive devices are used appropriately and flexibly, such as 'On the one hand', 'On the other hand', 'As a result', and 'For instance'. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately, guiding the reader smoothly from one point to the next without any noticeable mechanical errors in referencing.
Lexical Resource: Band 6.5
The student uses a sufficient range of vocabulary to allow for flexibility and precision, successfully employing less common items with an awareness of style and collocation, such as 'egoistic mindset', 'crucial component', and 'reasonable boundaries'. There are occasional minor inaccuracies or common word choices, but the vocabulary is fully adequate for the task. Spelling and word formation are accurate throughout, and communication is never impeded by lexical limitations.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 7.0
The essay displays a good variety of complex structures alongside simple sentences, including conditional structures like 'If children are always allowed to choose what they eat...' and concessive clauses like 'Although they may occasionally make poor decisions...'. There is a high frequency of error-free sentences, and the student demonstrates good control of grammar and punctuation. Errors are extremely rare, which places this response comfortably in the band 7 to 8 range for grammatical accuracy.
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