Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Barron's Writing · 2026-08-22
IELTS Writing Task 2 question
Some people believe that children learn better when they are placed in classes with children of similar academic abilities. Others believe that children learn better when they are in classes with children representing a diverse range of academic abilities.
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 6.0)
In recent years, the question of whether children should study better with interests has sparked considerable debate. While a segment of society supports studying with similar abilities because it boosts confidence. I side with those who argue that learning in a diverese range of academic interests is far more effective.
To begin with, the primary argument in favor of this view is that schools can provide a tailored curriculum based on the abilities. To put this into perspective, when children learn in this environment it lowers the anxiety of being judged, which inevitably boosts their confidence. A prime example of this can be seen in targeted language classes. Consequently, this argument holds positive aspects under various conditions.
Furthermore, another crucial aspect that cannot be overlooked is that learning in mixed-ability classes enhances the collaboration and help developing basic skills like teamwork and communication. This is mainly because nowadays modern workplaces require people with diverse skills and backgrounds. For example, a survey in 2016 on whether studying in mixed ability is efficient for a student,s growth and the results shocked everybody. the students literacy rate increased by 45%. Apart from that, mixed classes give everyone equal chances and equal expectations. Hence it becomes evident that learning in a diverese classroom enhances the confidence and develop different interests which is really benifical for personal and professional growth.
In conclusion, although compelling arguments exists on both sides. I lean forward towards the view that mixed ability is far more beneficial. However, it depends on a students particular needs need. Ultimately striking a balance between both id important
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 6.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0
The response addresses both sides of the argument and provides a clear personal opinion. However, the development of ideas is somewhat uneven. The first body paragraph focuses on the benefits of ability grouping, but the explanation is brief and relies on a vague example of 'targeted language classes'. The second paragraph discusses mixed-ability classes, but the supporting evidence—a 'survey in 2016'—is presented without sufficient detail or context to be fully persuasive. While the position is consistent, the arguments could be more thoroughly extended to reach a higher band. The conclusion is a bit abrupt and contains a slight contradiction by suggesting it depends on individual needs after taking a firm stance.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, and there is a clear progression of ideas. Cohesive devices such as 'To begin with', 'Furthermore', and 'In conclusion' are used to guide the reader. However, some transitions feel mechanical, and there are issues with sentence-level cohesion. For instance, the sentence 'While a segment of society supports studying with similar abilities because it boosts confidence.' is a sentence fragment that disrupts the flow. Additionally, the referencing is occasionally unclear, such as the transition into the survey example. Paragraphing is present, but the internal structure of the paragraphs could be more tightly linked to improve the overall flow.
Lexical Resource — Band 6.0
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, allowing the student to express their ideas clearly. There are attempts to use topic-specific vocabulary like 'tailored curriculum', 'literacy rate', and 'mixed-ability'. However, there are several spelling errors ('diverese', 'benifical', 'id') and some awkward phrasing, such as 'study better with interests' and 'lean forward towards'. The range is sufficient to communicate the main points, but the lack of precision and the presence of spelling mistakes prevent a higher score. To improve, the student should focus on more accurate word choice and proofreading for common spelling errors.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the student attempts complex sentences, there are frequent grammatical errors, including punctuation issues (e.g., 'student,s'), subject-verb agreement errors ('arguments exists'), and sentence fragments. The misuse of full stops where commas should be used—such as in the introduction—hinders the grammatical control. While these errors do not completely impede communication, they are frequent enough to be noticeable. To reach a higher band, the student needs to demonstrate better control over complex structures and ensure that punctuation and basic agreement rules are applied consistently.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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