Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Barron's Writing · 2026-09-08
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 8.0)
Some people believe that physical education is an essential part of a child’s education, while others argue that schools should concentrate mainly on academic subjects. Although academic learning is important for a child’s future career, I believe that physical education should also be given sufficient attention because it contributes to both physical and mental well-being.
On the one hand, there are several reasons why some people think academic subjects should receive greater priority. Subjects such as mathematics, science and languages provide children with essential knowledge and skills that can be useful in higher education and employment. In addition, school time is limited, so increasing the number of physical education classes could reduce the time available for important academic subjects. For example, students who want to pursue careers in medicine or engineering need a strong foundation in science and mathematics, which requires regular study and practice.
On the other hand, physical education plays an equally important role in a child's overall development. Regular exercise helps children maintain a healthy weight, develop stronger bodies and reduce the risk of health problems later in life. Furthermore, physical activity can improve concentration and reduce stress, which may actually help students perform better academically. For instance, a student who participates in sports after spending several hours studying may return to the classroom feeling more energetic and focused.
In my opinion, schools should not choose between physical education and academic learning. Instead, they should maintain a reasonable balance between the two. Academic subjects are necessary for intellectual development and future career opportunities, while physical education supports children's health, discipline and emotional well-being. A balanced timetable can therefore help students become healthier and more well-rounded individuals.
In conclusion, although academic subjects are undoubtedly important, I believe physical education should remain a significant part of the school curriculum. Giving children opportunities to study as well as exercise is the best way to support their long-term development.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 8.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 8.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 8.0 |
| Overall | 8.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0
The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You have discussed both views—the importance of academic subjects and the benefits of physical education—and provided a clear, consistent personal opinion throughout the essay. Your ideas are well-developed, particularly the argument that physical activity can actually enhance academic performance by reducing stress and improving focus. The structure is logical, and the conclusion effectively synthesizes your position. There are no omissions, and the response is balanced, meeting the requirements for a high band score.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0
The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central topic sentence, and the transition between paragraphs is smooth, using appropriate cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand,' 'Furthermore,' and 'In conclusion.' The use of referencing is accurate, and the paragraphing is logical and appropriate for the task. The flow of information is natural, and the relationship between ideas is easy to follow throughout the text.
Lexical Resource — Band 7.0
You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with precision. You use academic and topic-specific collocations such as 'overall development,' 'future career opportunities,' and 'well-rounded individuals' effectively. While the vocabulary is accurate and appropriate for the context, it is functional rather than highly sophisticated. To reach a higher band, you could incorporate more nuanced or less common lexical items to express your ideas with greater flair, though your current usage is entirely error-free and clear.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0
The response exhibits a good variety of complex sentence structures, such as the use of 'Although' clauses and conditional-like structures ('students who want to...'). The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation and grammar is consistent. There are no significant errors that impede communication. The writing is fluent and demonstrates a high level of grammatical control, which is appropriate for a high-scoring response.
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