Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Barron's Writing · 2026-09-04

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 6.0)

Undoubtedly, children have different academic abilities, and there is debate about whether they should study with students of a similar level or with classmates who have different abilities. Some people believe that children can learn better when they are placed with students of similar academic abilities, while others think that mixed-ability classes are more beneficial. In my opinion, although both approaches have advantages, students can benefit more from studying with classmates who have different academic abilities.

Firstly, many students may feel more comfortable when they study with classmates who have similar abilities. This is because they can learn at a similar pace and may feel less pressure or fear of failure. When students have a similar level of knowledge, teachers can also provide lessons that are suitable for the whole class. For example, if all students in a mathematics class have a similar level of understanding, the teacher can explain difficult problems at an appropriate pace, allowing everyone to follow the lesson more easily. As a result, students may make steady academic progress.

However, students who study in mixed-ability classes can also gain significant benefits. They have an opportunity to learn from classmates who have different strengths and knowledge. Stronger students can explain difficult topics to weaker students, while weaker students can learn new methods by observing their classmates. This can also improve teamwork and communication skills. For instance, during a group project, a student who is good at research can help another student who is better at presenting ideas. In this way, both students can learn from each other and improve their overall abilities.

In conclusion, studying with students of similar academic abilities can make students feel more comfortable and allow teachers to teach at an appropriate pace. However, I believe that mixed-ability classes are more beneficial because they allow children to learn from one another while also developing communication and teamwork skills.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 2.0

The response is completely off-topic. The prompt asks for a discussion on the advantages and disadvantages of sending children to preschool at a young age. However, the student has written an essay about whether children should be grouped by academic ability in school. Because the response fails to address the task instructions entirely, it cannot be assessed for task achievement in relation to the prompt provided. While the essay itself is coherent and well-structured, it is a response to a different question, which results in a very low score for this criterion.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

Despite being off-topic, the essay demonstrates a clear logical structure. Ideas are sequenced logically, with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Cohesive devices such as 'Firstly', 'However', and 'In conclusion' are used effectively to guide the reader through the argument. Paragraphing is used appropriately, with each paragraph focusing on a single, clear central idea. The progression of ideas is smooth and easy to follow, indicating a good grasp of organizational skills.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

The vocabulary used is sufficient for the task and demonstrates a good range of academic language. Phrases such as 'academic abilities', 'steady academic progress', and 'significant benefits' are used accurately. There is an attempt to use less common vocabulary, and the word choice is generally precise and appropriate for the context of the essay. There are no significant spelling or word-choice errors that impede communication, and the language is natural and fluent throughout.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay displays a good variety of complex structures, such as conditional sentences ('if all students... have a similar level... the teacher can explain') and concessive clauses ('although both approaches have advantages...'). The majority of sentences are error-free, and the control of grammar and punctuation is strong. There are no major grammatical errors that hinder understanding, and the sentence structures are varied enough to maintain interest and demonstrate a high level of proficiency.

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

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