Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · 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 7.5)

Many parents send their children to preschool at the age of three or four, while others prefer to wait until they begin primary school. Although early preschool education offers several important benefits, it also has certain drawbacks. This essay will discuss both sides before reaching a conclusion.

On the one hand, attending preschool at a young age can greatly contribute to a child's overall development. First, children have the opportunity to improve their social and communication skills by interacting with their peers and teachers. Leraning to share, cooperate and resolve conflicts helps them become more confident and independent. In addition, preschools introduce basic academic concepts such as numbers, letters, colours, and shapes through games and creative activities. As a result, children often enter primary school with stronger cognitive abilities and adapt more easily to a structured learning environment. For example, many children who attend preschool are already familiar with classroom routines, making the transition to formal education less stressful.

On the other hand, enrolling children in preschool too early may have some disadvantages. One concern is that very young children may experience separation anxiety when they are away from their parents for long periods. This can lead to emotional distress and reduce their enthusiasm for learning. Furthermore, not all preschools provide high-quality education. Inexperienced teachers, overcrowded classrooms, or an excessive focus on academic achievement may limit children's emotional and creative development. Some experts also argue that children under the age of five learn best through free play and close family interaction rather than formal instruction.

In my opinion, the advantages of preschool generally outweigh the disadvantages, provided that parents choose a well-managed institution that offers a balanced curriculum. A nurturing preschool can support children's intellectual, emotional, and social growth while still allowing them sufficient time for play and exploration.

In conclusion, sending children to preschool at an early age can improve their social skills, independence, and readiness for primary education. However, parents should also consider their child's emotional maturity and the quality of the preschool before making this important decision.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.0

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt by discussing both the advantages and disadvantages of sending children to preschool at a young age, while also maintaining a clear and consistent personal position throughout the essay. The ideas are well-developed and supported with relevant examples, such as how children improve their social skills and how they may experience separation anxiety. The writer moves logically from discussing the benefits, such as cognitive and social development, to the drawbacks, including emotional stress and quality concerns. The conclusion effectively reinforces the main points. This performance aligns comfortably with the Band 7 descriptors.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.5

The essay presents a clear logical organisation and progression from introduction to body paragraphs and conclusion. Paragraphing is used effectively and appropriately, with each main idea receiving its own well-defined paragraph. Cohesive devices are employed flexibly and naturally, such as 'On the one hand', 'In addition', 'As a result', and 'On the other hand'. Referencing is clear throughout the text, allowing the reader to follow the argument effortlessly without any noticeable mechanical errors or awkward transitions.

Lexical Resource: Band 7.0

The student demonstrates a sufficient lexical range to allow for some flexibility and precision. Less common vocabulary items are used with a good awareness of style and collocation, such as 'cognitive abilities', 'structured learning environment', 'separation anxiety', and 'balanced curriculum'. There is only one minor spelling slip ('Leraning' in the second paragraph), which does not impede communication. The vocabulary choices effectively convey complex ideas about child development and education.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 8.0

The writing contains a wide variety of complex structures used accurately, such as conditional clauses ('provided that parents choose...') and concessive clauses ('Although early preschool education offers...'). There are frequent error-free sentences, and punctuation is handled very well throughout the essay. Grammatical control is strong, with only very occasional minor slips, which matches the characteristics of a strong performance in this criterion.

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