Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-11-05

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)

It is somtimes believed that giving permission to children to make their own decisions about their daily lifestyle such as eating food, wearing clothes, and choosing activity for entertainment. However, there are some people who think that children should make their decisions about life on their own. In my opinion, I agree with the first statement.

On the one hand, allowing children to make every decision can make them selfish. This is because they may always focus on their own needs and ignore the feelings of others. For example, children may choose expensive clothes or unhealthy food without thinking about their parents' financial situation or health. Moreover, they may refuse to follow their parents' advice and develop bad habits. As a result, they might become less responsible members of society.

On the other hand, making their own decisions is also important for children because it helps them become independent and confident. They can learn how to understand their needs and take responsibility for their choices. For instance, choosing their own clothes, food or hobbies can help them develop their personal interests. Furthermore, these small decisions prepare them for future challenges because they learn how to make better choices without depending on others all the time.

In conclusion, although children should have some freedom to make decisions, I believe parents must guide them and teach them the difference between right and wrong. At the same time, parents should allow children to express their opinions and learn from their mistakes in everyday life.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You discuss both views and make your position clear: you agree that unrestricted choice can encourage self-centred behaviour, while your conclusion also recognises that children need some freedom. The examples about expensive clothes, unhealthy food and developing personal interests are relevant and help explain each side. However, the first view is developed more fully through possible consequences, whereas the benefits of choice are stated more generally; for example, “prepare them for future challenges” is not illustrated with a specific situation. Your opening also describes the two positions somewhat imprecisely, since the task contrasts concern about selfishness with the value of decisions affecting children. Develop that contrast more explicitly and explain how parental guidance can balance the two views.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a clear overall arrangement: an introduction, separate paragraphs for the two views, and a conclusion that restates your position. Signposting such as “On the one hand,” “On the other hand,” and “In conclusion” makes the progression easy to follow. Within paragraphs, ideas generally move from a claim to an explanation or example. However, the opening sentence is incomplete, which interrupts the introduction’s flow, and the relationship between your initial position and the more balanced conclusion could be made clearer. Some linking is also formulaic, particularly the repeated use of “Moreover” and “Furthermore.” Use transitions that show the precise relationship between ideas, and connect the conclusion more directly to the discussion of how much freedom children should have.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use an adequate range of topic vocabulary, including “independent,” “confident,” “responsible members of society,” and “personal interests.” These choices communicate the main ideas clearly, and phrases such as “take responsibility for their choices” are appropriate to the topic. However, some wording is imprecise or unnatural, which limits flexibility and precision. “Giving permission to children to make their own decisions” is cumbersome, while “choosing activity for entertainment” is not a natural expression. There is also a spelling error in “somtimes,” and “make their decisions about life on their own” is vague. Aim for more natural collocations and precise terms, such as “everyday choices,” “leisure activities,” and “make decisions that affect them.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, including subordinate clauses with “because,” “although,” and “without,” and most sentences are easy to understand. For example, “They can learn how to understand their needs and take responsibility for their choices” is structurally clear. Some grammatical errors remain. The opening sentence is a fragment: “It is somtimes believed that giving permission …” has no main clause, and the following “such as” list is not integrated into a complete sentence. In “choosing activity,” the singular count noun needs a determiner or plural form. These issues do not generally prevent understanding, but they reduce accuracy. Check that each sentence has a complete main clause and review articles and noun forms when editing.

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.