Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-10-24

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)

In recent times, many people argue that giving liberty to children to make their own decisions on daily errands, including food, clothes, and entertainment, will result in a society of people considering only their wishes, while others are of the opinion that it's essential for children to comprehend and make their personal decisions regarding the things that matters them. In my opinion, I agree with the latter statement because giving personal freedom to handle day-to-day decisions will encourage the children and prepare them to make critical decisions at certain moments.

On the one hand, many people hold the opinion that parents should take care of their children's worries about food and clothes. They think the children are not mature enough to manage their tasks. If they are allowed to be given choices on everyday matters, they will only think about their personal wishes. This would result in a society of people only worrying about themselves rather than their closed ones. It would create negative consequences, such as impacting their upbringing and not sharing things with each other. For example, many children aged 8-13 years buy toffees of their own choice, and they don't share them with their siblings or parents.

On the other hand, many people believe that children should be given liberty to take care of their daily decisions about food and buying the clothes of their own will. Parents should encourage them to manage their daily activities, as it would motivate them to prepare for the future and consider themselves mature. In this way, their parents will focus on their personal work instead of keeping watch on their children's activities. Moreover, this confidence will enhance their inner selves, and they will be ready enough to take critical decisions regarding their work and personal lives. For instance, in many European countries, parents let their children move out from their homes to manage themselves individually.

In conclusion, although not allowing children to make their own choices would be beneficial for society in some ways, letting them have free hand to take daily decisions will motivate them to be prepared for harsh circumstances.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

You address both views and make your own position clear: you support children having some freedom because it can prepare them for important decisions. The response also gives relevant reasons, including confidence and parental time, and includes examples. This meets the task well overall. However, the two sides are not developed equally: the first view relies mainly on the claim that children may become selfish, illustrated by children not sharing sweets, while the second view receives more explanation. The example about young people moving out in European countries is also only loosely connected to everyday choices about food, clothes, and entertainment. To strengthen the response, explain more precisely how everyday choices can foster either consideration for others or responsible independence, and make each example directly support that point.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0

The essay has a clear four-paragraph structure, with an introduction, one paragraph for each view, and a conclusion. The progression is easy to follow, and signposts such as “On the one hand,” “On the other hand,” and “In conclusion” help readers understand the organisation. Ideas within each body paragraph generally move from a claim to an explanation and example. Some linking is a little mechanical, however, and repeated references to “daily decisions” and “children” make the flow less flexible. The connection between the example of moving out and the argument about everyday choices could also be made clearer. Use more varied referencing and transitions, and ensure that each example is explicitly tied back to the paragraph’s main point.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use an adequate range of vocabulary for the topic, including “personal freedom,” “mature,” “upbringing,” “confidence,” and “critical decisions.” These choices communicate the main ideas, and you attempt some less common expressions. However, several phrases are imprecise or unnatural, such as “daily errands” for routine choices, “the things that matters them,” “their closed ones,” and “enhance their inner selves.” “Harsh circumstances” is also broader and more dramatic than the everyday decisions discussed. These word-choice and collocation issues do not prevent understanding, but they limit precision and naturalness. Aim for straightforward, accurate combinations such as “everyday choices,” “people close to them,” and “build self-confidence,” and avoid using formal-sounding phrases unless they fit the context.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.5

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, including conditional structures (“If they are allowed…”) and clauses introduced by “although” and “as.” Most sentences are understandable, and errors rarely obstruct the message. Some grammatical inaccuracies remain, particularly in agreement and sentence construction: “the things that matters them” should be “the things that matter to them,” and “children are not mature enough to manage their tasks” is followed by the awkward passive construction “If they are allowed to be given choices.” There are also article and number issues in “have free hand,” which needs “a free hand.” Review subject–verb agreement, prepositions after verbs, and passive forms. More consistently accurate complex sentences would improve control while preserving your range.

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