Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-10-01

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 5.5)

Nowadays, a large number of children make decisions about their career plans and professional lives independently because they think that making their own decisions is more satisfying than following other people's advice. A significant number of people think that giving children permission to make their own choices about everyday matters such as food, clothes, and entertainment may result in a generation of individuals who only care about their own desires. Other people argue that it is imperative for children to make decisions about matters that affect them. This essay will discuss both perspectives before presenting my own opinion.

To begin with, some people believe that children should be allowed to make their own choices about everyday matters such as food, clothes, and entertainment. By making these simple choices, children can learn how to make decisions independently. For instance, when children regularly make simple decisions in their daily lives, they can develop confidence and become better prepared to make bigger decisions in the future.

Furthermore, other people believe that it is important for children to make their own decisions because this can help them become more independent and confident. When children are allowed to make their own choices, they can learn from their decisions and develop skills that may help them achieve their goals in the future.

In conclusion, I believe that every child should be allowed to make their own decisions about their education, career plans, and basic everyday matters such as food, clothes, and entertainment. These kinds of decisions can help them become more confident and learn new things. Therefore, children should be encouraged to make decisions wisely and independently.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.5

The response addresses the prompt partially, struggling to fully maintain focus on the specific discussion points required. In the introduction, the writer introduces career plans and professional lives independently, which shifts slightly away from the prompt's focus on everyday matters such as food, clothes, and entertainment. Furthermore, the main body paragraphs are somewhat repetitive and under-developed. For instance, the second and third body paragraphs largely reiterate the idea that making decisions helps children become more independent and confident without introducing distinct arguments or well-extended examples to contrast the two requested views. While a position is presented in the conclusion, the ideas remain limited, preventing the response from reaching a higher level of development.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The essay presents a coherent overall arrangement with a recognisable introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion, fulfilling basic organisational requirements. However, progression is somewhat hindered by repetition between the body paragraphs rather than a clear logical flow of contrasting viewpoints. Basic cohesive devices are used, such as 'To begin with', 'Furthermore', and 'In conclusion', but referencing and transitions can be mechanical. For example, the transition from the second body paragraph to the third introduces a redundant argument rather than advancing the discussion to a new supporting point. Paragraphing is used, but the internal cohesion within paragraphs lacks varied cohesive ties.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary suitable for the task, successfully incorporating topic-related terms such as 'independently', 'everyday matters', 'entertainment', and 'perspective'. There are successful attempts to use less common vocabulary like 'imperative' and 'professional lives'. However, there are some inaccuracies in word choice and phrasing, such as introducing career plans into a prompt specifically about everyday matters, which limits precision. Spelling and word formation are generally accurate, meaning these lexical limitations do not impede communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.5

The writing shows a reasonable mix of simple and complex sentence forms, demonstrating a solid foundation in grammatical control. The student successfully constructs complex sentences, such as 'When children are allowed to make their own choices, they can learn from their decisions and develop skills...' There are some errors in grammar and punctuation, but they occur infrequently and rarely impede communication. The majority of simple sentences are accurate, and verb tenses are handled consistently throughout the essay. To reach a higher level, the writer would need to incorporate a wider variety of more sophisticated complex structures with greater frequency and error-free execution.

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