Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Barron's Writing · 2026-08-26
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 7.0)
Some individuals think that children learn more effectively when they are placed in classes with same abilities students while others argue that mixture of different academic abilities provide a better education environment. This essay will explicate both the views along with my opinion.
On the one hand, grouping students according to their academic abilities comes with some advantages as teachers can design a lesson that is appropriate for all the students in the class that will save the time and students will learn any topic very quickly without waiting for others who are behind them. Additionally, the advanced students learn more effectively when they are surrounded by same level children as they have to compete for grades with each other. For example, in mathematics the same ability students can focus on complex problems rather than solving the basic concepts repeatedly.
On the other hand, placing students with different academic abilities can bring the social and academic benefits. Stronger students can help weaker claasmates by teaching them complex concepts in easy language that will strenghtn their own understanding as well. Apart from that, weaker students will be motivated if they are mixing with high- level peers. Furthermore diverse academic abilities teach students teamwork, cooperation and leadership skills that are essential beyond the classroom.
In my opinion, although grouping students with similar abilities can be beneficial in some situations, but mixing of different ability classes teach them to be cooperative with people who have different strenghts and weaknesses that prepare children for real-life situations.
In conclusion, classes based on similar academic abilities can allow teachers to provide more targeted instructions and help students progress at appropriate pace while, mixed ability teach them cooperation, motivation and broader development.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 6.5 |
| Overall | 7.0 |
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 ideas are relevant and generally well-supported, such as the mention of 'targeted instruction' for similar-ability classes and 'social benefits' for mixed-ability groups. However, the development is somewhat brief. To reach a higher band, the arguments could be extended with more specific real-world examples or deeper analysis of the long-term implications of these educational strategies. The position is consistent throughout the essay, and the conclusion effectively synthesizes the main points discussed in the body paragraphs.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0
The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, two body paragraphs, a personal opinion paragraph, and a conclusion. Cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand', 'Additionally', 'Apart from that', and 'Furthermore' are used effectively to guide the reader through the arguments. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct ideas. While the flow is generally smooth, some transitions feel slightly mechanical. The referencing is clear, and the progression of ideas from the benefits of ability grouping to the advantages of mixed-ability settings is logical and easy to follow.
Lexical Resource — Band 6.5
The vocabulary is sufficient to convey the intended meaning with some flexibility. There is an attempt to use topic-specific vocabulary such as 'targeted instructions', 'academic abilities', and 'cooperation'. However, there are occasional inaccuracies in word choice and minor spelling errors, such as 'claasmates' (classmates) and 'strenghtn' (strengthen). The range is adequate for the task, but the essay lacks a wider variety of sophisticated or less common lexical items that would demonstrate a more precise command of the language. The vocabulary used is generally appropriate for the context.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5
The essay demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There is good control over basic grammar, and the meaning is always clear. However, there are some persistent errors, such as 'mixture of different academic abilities provide' (subject-verb agreement) and 'although... but' (redundant conjunctions). While complex structures are attempted, they are not always perfectly executed. The punctuation is generally correct, but the sentence variety could be improved to demonstrate greater flexibility. The errors present do not impede communication, but they do prevent the essay from reaching the higher bands where error-free sentences are the norm.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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