Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Barron's Writing · 2026-09-19

IELTS Writing Task 2 question

People should never eat meat because raising animals for human consumption is cruel.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?

Give reasons for your answer, and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Student answer (Band 6.5)

In today’s world, many people believe that eating meat is wrong because animals are often treated cruelly before they are killed for human consumption\. Although I agree that animal welfare is very important, I do not completely agree that people should never eat meat\.

On the one hand, raising animals for meat can involve cruelty\. On some farms, animals are kept in small spaces and do not have enough room to move freely\. They may also experience stress and poor living conditions\. For example, chickens in intensive farming systems may be kept in crowded cages\. Therefore, people who are concerned about animal welfare may choose to become vegetarian or reduce their meat consumption\. This can also encourage food producers to improve their farming methods and treat animals more humanely\.

On the other hand, I believe that eating meat should not always be considered cruel\. Some farmers provide animals with sufficient space, proper food and suitable living conditions\. In addition, meat is an important source of protein and other nutrients for many people\. For example, some families include chicken or fish in their regular meals as part of a balanced diet\. Instead of banning meat completely, governments should introduce strict animal welfare regulations and ensure that farms follow them\. Consumers can also buy meat from farms that use ethical and environmentally responsible practices\.

In conclusion, although I believe that cruelty towards animals should be prevented, I do not agree that people should never eat meat\. In my opinion, improving farming conditions, enforcing animal welfare laws and encouraging responsible food choices are more reasonable ways to address this issue\.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt by discussing both sides of the debate regarding whether eating meat is inherently cruel. The writer establishes a clear, balanced position from the introduction and maintains it throughout the essay. Ideas are well developed and supported with relevant examples, such as mentioning chickens in intensive farming systems and how families incorporate fish or chicken into a balanced diet. The arguments concerning animal welfare regulations and consumer choices are logically extended. The response meets all the requirements of a Band 7 or Band 8 level for Task Achievement by presenting a well-developed argument with a clear perspective.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay demonstrates a clear logical organization and progression throughout. Each paragraph has a distinct central topic, moving smoothly from the introduction to the arguments against meat, the counter-arguments supporting regulated meat consumption, and a concise conclusion. Cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand', 'On the other hand', 'In addition', and 'In conclusion' are used effectively to guide the reader through the writer's line of thought. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately. While referencing and linking words are sometimes straightforward, they are managed well enough to ensure the overall arrangement remains coherent and easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The student uses a sufficient range of vocabulary to allow some flexibility and precision. Phrases such as 'animal welfare', 'intensive farming systems', 'balanced diet', and 'environmentally responsible practices' demonstrate a good handle on topic-specific language. Word choice is generally appropriate, and there are no glaring spelling or word-formation errors that impede communication. While the vocabulary is not overly sophisticated or flashy, it is entirely adequate and precise enough to convey the writer's arguments clearly, supporting a solid Band 7 rating.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The response features a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. The writer successfully uses subordinate clauses and conditional concepts, as seen in sentences like 'Although I agree that animal welfare is very important, I do not completely agree that people should never eat meat.' There is a high proportion of error-free sentences, and punctuation is handled correctly throughout. While the structural range leans towards standard complex patterns rather than highly sophisticated or unusual syntactic forms, the strong grammatical control and accuracy place this firmly in the Band 7 category.

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