Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-10-16

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)

Some people argue that allowing children to do whatever they want to do in their life, makes them selfish whereas others argue that it is crucial for them to make their own decisions. This essay will discuss both views.

On the one hand, some people think that giving children the right to make decisions for their own life will end up making them a self-centred person. These kinds of child want to fulfil their wishes by hit or by tit. Although their reason is valid, it will make them dependent on others in their whole life. Moreover it will cause detrimental effects in their life and it will shatter their confidence.

On the other hand, people who firmly believe that allowing kids to make choices of their matters is significant. It will make them fully confident and it will develop a sense of responsibility in them. In spite of being aware of that they can make mistakes, we should support and trust them. For instance, if an underage child wants to start up a business and they want you to support them in growing their business. Instead of demotivating, endorse him.

For my perspective, if parents are giving permission to their children to do whatever they want to do in their life, it is important to keep an eye on them and set boundaries for them. Furthermore, in case of any mistake from their side, assist them rather than blaming and discouraging them. This will boost their confidence and faith.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You introduce both views and give a personal position: you support children making choices, provided parents supervise and set boundaries. This is relevant to the question, but the discussion is only partly developed. The argument that choice may create selfishness is asserted, then shifts to dependence and reduced confidence without explaining how these outcomes follow. The opposing view is clearer, with confidence and responsibility identified as benefits, but the business example is brief and does not show how an everyday choice develops these qualities. Your conclusion gives practical advice, yet could state more directly how you balance children’s autonomy with the risk of self-centred behaviour. Explain each view with a clear cause-and-effect link and a more specific example to develop the response further.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a clear overall arrangement: an introduction, separate paragraphs for the two views, and a final paragraph presenting your position. Signposting such as “On the one hand,” “On the other hand,” and “For my perspective” helps readers follow the discussion. However, progression within paragraphs is less secure. In the first body paragraph, the move from selfishness to dependence and then to damaged confidence is not clearly connected. The final paragraph also repeats the idea of allowing children to choose without explicitly linking it back to the two views. Some linking phrases, including “Moreover” and “Furthermore,” make the organisation feel somewhat mechanical. Use clearer references and explain how each supporting point relates to the paragraph’s main claim.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use a range of relevant vocabulary, including “self-centred,” “detrimental effects,” “sense of responsibility,” and “boundaries,” which helps express the topic. There are also attempts at less common expressions, but several choices are inaccurate or unnatural and make some ideas less clear. For example, “by hit or by tit” is not the standard expression, and “choices of their matters” is awkward. “Endorse him” does not fit the intended meaning of supporting a child, while “fully confident” is less natural than a more precise phrase. Aim for accurate collocations and avoid forcing idioms. Choosing simpler, natural wording where needed will make your arguments clearer and more convincing.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mix of simple and complex structures, including a concession with “Although” and a conditional example beginning “if an underage child wants…”. Meaning is generally understandable, but some sentence structures and grammatical forms are inaccurate. In the opening, the comma after “life” separates the subject from its verb; “These kinds of child want” has a number-agreement problem; and “people who firmly believe that allowing kids…” is an incomplete sentence. The business example also shifts from “a child” to “they” and then “you,” making the reference less controlled. Review sentence boundaries, agreement, and consistent pronouns, and make sure each sentence has a complete main clause. More accurate control of these patterns would strengthen the response.

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.