Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Barron's Writing · 2026-08-28

IELTS Writing Task 2 question

Some parents send their children to preschool when they are three or four years old. Other parents wait until their children are old enough for primary school before they send them to school.

Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of sending children to preschool at a young age.
Give reasons for your answer, and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Student answer (Band 7.5)

Some parents choose to send their children to preschool when they are three or four years old, while others prefer to wait until their children are old enough to start primary school. Both choices have advantages and disadvantages, and parents should consider their children’s individual needs before making a decision.

One of the main advantages of starting preschool at a young age is that children can develop strong social skills. At preschool, they interact with teachers and other children, learn to share, communicate and work together. These experiences can help them become more confident and independent. Another benefit is that preschool can prepare children for their future education. They may learn basic numbers, letters, colours and simple reading and writing skills. They also become familiar with classroom rules and routines, which can make the transition to primary school much easier. For example, a child who has attended preschool may already know how to follow instructions, complete activities and communicate with classmates.

On the other hand, sending children to preschool too early can have some disadvantages. Young children may experience anxiety or homesickness because they have to spend several hours away from their parents. Some children may also not be emotionally ready for a structured learning environment. This could make them feel uncomfortable and reduce their interest in learning. Furthermore, preschool can be expensive, particularly for families who have more than one child. Parents may also have less time to spend with their children during their early years.

In conclusion, preschool can provide valuable social and educational benefits, but it may also cause stress and financial difficulties. In my opinion, children can benefit from starting preschool at three or four, provided that the school is suitable for their age and parents carefully consider their child’s emotional readiness.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, discussing both the advantages and disadvantages of early preschool attendance. The position is clear from the introduction and is maintained throughout the essay. Ideas are well-developed, particularly the social and educational benefits in the second paragraph and the emotional and financial drawbacks in the third. The response is balanced and provides relevant examples, such as the mention of learning classroom routines and the potential for separation anxiety. The conclusion effectively synthesizes the main points while providing a personal perspective, fulfilling the requirements of the task well.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between paragraphs is smooth. Cohesive devices such as 'One of the main advantages', 'Another benefit', 'On the other hand', and 'In conclusion' are used effectively to guide the reader. The paragraphing is appropriate, with a clear introduction, two body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Referencing is clear, and the flow of information is natural throughout the text, meeting the criteria for a high band score.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

The vocabulary is sufficient and appropriate for the task. The student uses a range of topic-specific terms such as 'structured learning environment', 'emotional readiness', and 'social skills'. While the vocabulary is accurate and conveys meaning clearly, it lacks the 'less common' or 'sophisticated' lexical items that would push the score into the 8.0 or 9.0 range. The word choices are generally precise, and there are no spelling errors that impede communication. The range is adequate for the task but could be more varied to demonstrate greater flexibility.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay demonstrates a good command of grammatical structures. There is a mix of simple and complex sentences, such as the use of conditional clauses ('provided that the school is suitable') and relative clauses ('who has attended preschool'). The majority of sentences are error-free, and the punctuation is used correctly. While the grammatical range is solid, it does not consistently feature the high level of complexity or the 'wide range' of structures required for the highest bands. However, the control is consistent, and errors are virtually non-existent.

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

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