Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-10-06

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 5.0)

Few individuals consider that minors can be allowed to make their own decisions in all situations, but others reject this notion because they believe that it may harm them. This essay discusses both sides of the trend and considers my opinion on the latter.

Firstly, the main benefit of this trend is that teenagers are independent, can do anything, and do not have any type of burden from society, so they can do all their work more focused. As a result, they do their work more easily, faster, and more understandably. For instance, two friends take admission in 12th, one takes a stream of their choice, and the other follows their family's decision, which results, a boy who takes a stream of his choice, topping in school, and the other failing the class. Secondly, they can work in the field in which they have an interest.

On the other hand, sometimes children make the wrong choice, which affects them in the future, like making a bad friend circle. This may sometimes lead to drug addiction. Furthermore, with that, pupils harm their health.

In conclusion, latter in good

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.5

You identify both perspectives: children’s freedom may help them pursue interests, while poor choices may have harmful consequences. The example contrasting two students’ subject choices is relevant, but its outcome is asserted rather than explained, and the first view is only briefly developed. The opposing view is also limited to bad friendships and possible drug use. Most importantly, the conclusion, “latter in good,” is incomplete, so your own position is not clearly stated, despite the introduction suggesting you favour the latter view. The response therefore addresses the task only partially, and it is 63 words below the required minimum. Develop both sides with clear reasons and examples, then finish with an explicit, supported opinion.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response has a basic paragraph structure, with an introduction, a paragraph presenting benefits, a paragraph presenting risks, and an attempted conclusion. “Firstly,” “Secondly,” and “On the other hand” help signal the direction of the discussion. However, progression within paragraphs is weak: the example about two students is difficult to follow, and the link between children’s choices, focused work, and academic results is not clearly explained. The final line is incomplete, so the essay does not reach a coherent ending. Some linking phrases, such as “As a result” and “Furthermore, with that,” do not establish precise relationships between ideas. Organise each paragraph around one main point, explain it, and use clear references and transitions.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant vocabulary for the topic, including “independent,” “their choice,” “bad friend circle,” and “drug addiction,” and the reader can generally identify the ideas you intend to express. However, the range is limited and several phrases are imprecise or unnatural, which sometimes makes meaning harder to follow. For example, “do all their work more focused” and “more understandably” do not express the intended benefits clearly; “takes admission in 12th” is also an awkward description of entering a school year. “The latter” is used without a clear, complete conclusion to establish your position. Aim for more precise collocations and varied language for autonomy, consequences, and parental guidance.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and longer sentence forms, including a cause-and-effect sentence beginning “As a result” and a relative clause in “a boy who takes a stream of his choice.” However, control is inconsistent, and several sentence structures are faulty or difficult to follow. In the example, “two friends take admission in 12th, one takes a stream … and the other follows their family's decision, which results, a boy …” combines clauses without clear grammatical links; the pronoun reference and punctuation also make the meaning unclear. The opening sentence uses “but” to connect contrasting views, but the relationship between its clauses is awkward. The conclusion is a fragment. Practise forming complete sentences, using clear clause boundaries, and checking agreement and punctuation.

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