Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Barron's Writing · 2026-08-12
IELTS Writing Task 2 question
Some people say that physical education classes are an important part of a child's education. Others believe that it is more important to focus on academics during school time.
Discuss both these views, and give your opinion.
Give reasons for your answer, and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Student answer (Band 7.5)
Some people believe that physical education should be an important part of school education, while others think that schools should focus more on academic subjects. Although academic learning is important for a child's future career, I believe that physical education is equally necessary for children's health and development.
On the one hand, many people believe that schools should give more attention to academic subjects such as mathematics, science and languages. These subjects provide students with useful knowledge and skills that can help them achieve good grades and enter good universities. Another reason is that students face strong competition in higher education and the job market. Therefore, spending more time on academics can improve their future career opportunities. For example, students who want to become doctors or engineers need a strong academic foundation from an early age.
On the other hand, physical education also provides several benefits. Nowadays, many children spend a lot of time using smartphones, computers and other electronic devices, which can make them less active. Regular exercise at school can help children stay fit and reduce the risk of health problems such as obesity. Apart from this, playing sports can reduce stress and improve concentration, which can help students perform better in their studies. Physical education also teaches useful life skills such as teamwork, discipline and communication.
In my opinion, schools should maintain a balance between academics and physical education. Academic subjects are important for children's future careers, but their physical and mental health should not be ignored.
In conclusion, while academics prepare children for successful careers, physical education helps them stay healthy and active. Therefore, schools should give enough time to both areas.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 8.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.5 |
| Overall | 7.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0
The response addresses all parts of the prompt, discussing both viewpoints and providing a clear personal opinion. The position is consistent throughout the essay. The ideas are relevant and well-supported, particularly the arguments regarding academic competition and the health benefits of physical education. To reach a higher band, the student could further extend the development of ideas by providing more specific, real-world examples rather than general statements. For instance, mentioning specific health programs or academic curriculum structures would add depth. Overall, the response is well-focused and directly answers the prompt requirements.
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 the two viewpoints is smooth, using appropriate cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand' and 'On the other hand'. The use of referencing is clear, and the paragraphing is appropriate for the structure of the task. The conclusion effectively summarizes the main points and reiterates the writer's stance. The flow of information is natural, and the essay is easy to follow throughout.
Lexical Resource — Band 7.0
The vocabulary used is sufficient and appropriate for the task. The student demonstrates a good range of topic-specific vocabulary, such as 'academic foundation', 'higher education', 'job market', and 'physical and mental health'. While the range is adequate, it lacks the more sophisticated or idiomatic expressions that would characterize a higher band score. There are no significant errors in word choice or collocation, and the language used is precise enough to convey the intended meaning clearly throughout the response.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5
The essay displays a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. The grammar is generally accurate, with very few errors. Complex sentences, such as 'Although academic learning is important for a child's future career, I believe that physical education is equally necessary', are used correctly. Punctuation is handled well, and the majority of sentences are error-free. While the range of structures is solid, incorporating a wider variety of advanced grammatical forms, such as conditional sentences or passive voice constructions, would enhance the score further.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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