Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-10-28

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 6.0)

There are two opinions in the children choices by people. Many argue that allowing children to decide their own choices on a daily basis is probably going to make a society full of citizens who only care about themselves. Others argue that children should take decisions about things affecting themselves. In my opinion, I stand with the second argument, and in this essay I will discuss both sides and why I think so.

First of all, some people believe that children making their own choices can make them selfish and thinking only about their own wishes when they become part of their society. This can be sometimes true when parents do not supervise their children at all and spoil them by allowing literally all wishes to become true. My cousin, who is a child in elementary school, for instance, tends to be very selfish with his brothers by not sharing his games or food while also getting what he wants every time. This shows that spoiling children by allowing everything and not controlling their behaviour can lead to wrong consequences in their attitude which can then affect them in the future.

On the other hand, many argue that making children make decisions about matters that affect them is truly important to mold their personality in the right way. I agree with this opinion, because children should participate in the decision making process of things like what they study, their clothing styles, and even entertainment matters too. This is because how us humans need to grow by taking decisions and learn from their mistakes and grow opinions about things. When I grew up, my parents allowed me to choose what kind of subjects to study and what clothes to wear, this for example, helped me create my current mindset in the present and gave me the responsible mentality I have.

In conclusion, whether allowing children to choose or not, it is a matter of balance between spoiling the children or giving them the responsibility to choose and make decisions that affect their lifes and make them grow properly in society.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

You address both views and state a clear preference for children making decisions about matters that affect them. The discussion of the opposing view is relevant, and the example of your cousin illustrates how unrestricted permission without supervision might encourage self-centred behaviour. Your own view is also supported by your experience of choosing subjects and clothes. However, some points are more fully explained than others: the cousin example mainly shows the effects of being spoiled, rather than explaining how ordinary choices themselves could lead to selfishness. The claim that children should choose what they study could also use more explanation of how this develops responsibility. A clearer distinction between guided choice and having every wish granted would make the argument more fully developed.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response has a clear overall structure: an introduction, one paragraph for each view, and a conclusion. Signposting such as “First of all” and “On the other hand” makes the shift between arguments easy to follow, and the examples are placed with the points they support. The progression is generally logical, though some linking is mechanical, and a few references are not fully clear. For example, “This shows” refers broadly to the cousin’s behaviour and the preceding explanation, while the final sentence introduces “a matter of balance” without clearly restating how that balance should work. Use more precise links between claims and examples, and make the conclusion synthesise the two views rather than leaving the balance somewhat general.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use enough vocabulary to discuss the topic and convey your position, including phrases such as “decision making process,” “responsible mentality,” and “consequences in their attitude.” There is some attempt to use topic-related language, but several expressions are awkward or imprecise, which limits naturalness and flexibility. For instance, “There are two opinions in the children choices by people” is difficult to interpret, and “grow opinions about things” does not express the intended idea naturally. Repetition of “choices,” “decisions,” and “children” also narrows the range. Aim for accurate collocations and vary your wording where possible; this will make the argument clearer and more fluent without requiring unnecessarily complex vocabulary.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, including clauses with “when,” “because,” and “while,” and most of the meaning remains clear. Some sentences are controlled, such as the example beginning “My cousin, who is a child in elementary school,” but there are also grammatical errors. In “This is because how us humans need to grow,” the clause structure is faulty; “This is because humans need to grow…” would be clearer. “When I grew up, my parents allowed me…” also shifts awkwardly between past and present in the same sentence, and “their lifes” has an incorrect plural form. Review clause construction, tense consistency, and plural forms, while continuing to use complex sentences.

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