Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Barron's Writing · 2026-09-27

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 7.0)

In many countries, parents have different opinions about the appropriate age for children to begin formal education. While some believe that starting preschool at the age of three or four provides important benefits, others prefer to keep their children at home until primary school. This essay will discuss both the advantages and disadvantages of starting preschool at a young age.

One major advantage of preschool is that it helps children develop social and communication skills. By interacting with teachers and other children, they learn to share, cooperate and resolve minor conflicts independently. Preschool can also prepare children academically by introducing basic numbers, letters and problem-solving activities in a structured environment. Furthermore, attending preschool can make the transition to primary school less stressful because children are already familiar with classroom routines and rules.

However, there are also some disadvantages. Young children may experience separation anxiety when they are away from their parents for several hours each day. This can affect their emotional well-being, particularly if they are not yet ready for a structured environment. In addition, spending less time with parents may reduce opportunities for family interaction. Preschool can also expose children to common illnesses because they are in close contact with many other children.

In conclusion, starting preschool at three or four can provide valuable social and educational benefits, but it may also cause emotional stress and increase exposure to illness. In my view, the decision should depend on each child's emotional maturity and individual needs rather than simply their age.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.0

The student has successfully addressed all parts of the task by discussing both the advantages and disadvantages of sending children to preschool at a young age, as seen in the clear overview provided in the introduction and subsequent body paragraphs. A clear position is maintained throughout the essay and reiterated in the conclusion. The ideas are well-developed and supported with relevant examples, such as mentioning social interaction, shared routines, separation anxiety, and common childhood illnesses. For instance, the second paragraph effectively elaborates on how preschool helps children 'share, cooperate and resolve minor conflicts independently'. The response meets all task requirements with appropriate scope and depth, aligning well with the descriptors for Band 7.0.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0

The essay demonstrates clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Each paragraph has a distinct central topic, starting with an introductory overview, followed by advantages, then disadvantages, and concluding with a balanced summary and personal viewpoint. Cohesive devices are used effectively to guide the reader through the arguments, such as 'One major advantage', 'Furthermore', and 'However'. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately, separating distinct themes clearly. Referencing is logical and clear across sentences. While the cohesive mechanisms are functional and clear rather than highly sophisticated, the overall structural progression easily satisfies the Band 7.0 requirements.

Lexical Resource: Band 7.0

The student demonstrates an adequate and flexible range of vocabulary for the task. Less common lexical items are attempted with some awareness of style and collocation, such as 'structured environment', 'separation anxiety', 'emotional well-being', and 'emotional maturity'. Word choice is generally natural and precise, as observed in phrases like 'formal education' and 'classroom routines'. While there are no major errors that impede communication, the vocabulary is largely standard for this common topic rather than deeply sophisticated or varied. Spelling and word formation are accurate throughout, supporting a solid Band 7.0 score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 7.0

The essay displays a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures, including conditional or subordinate clauses such as 'While some believe that starting preschool... others prefer...' and '...particularly if they are not yet ready for a structured environment.' There is a high frequency of error-free sentences, and the student demonstrates good control of grammar and punctuation overall. Minor slips are virtually absent, and complex structures are handled with reasonable accuracy. The control demonstrated over sentence boundaries and grammatical patterns fits comfortably within the Band 7.0 band descriptors.

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