Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Barron's Writing · 2026-09-07

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 7.5)

Some people argue that children learn more effectively when they are placed in classes with students of similar academic abilities, while others believe that mixed-ability classes provide a better learning environment. Although grouping students according to their academic performance can offer certain advantages, I believe that children benefit more from studying alongside classmates with different abilities.

On the one hand, placing students with similar academic abilities in the same class can make teaching more efficient. When students have comparable levels of knowledge, teachers can design lessons that are appropriate for the whole group without having to spend too much time adjusting the difficulty. As a result, high-achieving students can study ore advanced material without being held back, while weaker students cad receive additional support without feeling pressure by their classmates. For example, a student who is particularly strong in mathematics may benefit from being taught more challenging concepts as a faster pace.

On the other hand, mixed-ability classes an provide important academic and social benefits. Students who are struggling with a subject can learn from classmates who understand the material better, while stronger students can reinforce their own knowledge by explaining concepts to others. Furthermore, studying with people of different abilities can teach children valuable skills such as cooperation, patience and communication. These skills are important not only in education but also in the workplace and in everyday life. For instance, group projects involving students with different strengths can encourage them to share ideas and solve problems together.

In my opinion. mixed-ability classes are generally more beneficial because education should develop both academic knowledge and interpersonal skills. However, teachers should provide additional activities for advanced students and extra supports for those who need it. This approach can ensure that every child is challenged at an appropriate level while still benefiting from interaction with classmates of different abilities.

In conclusion, although ability- based classes can allow teachers to provide more targeted instruction, mixed-ability classrooms encourages cooperation, peer learning and broader personal development. Therefore, I believe that children are more likely to benefit from a diverse range of academic abilities in the classroom.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, providing a clear discussion of both viewpoints and a well-supported personal opinion. The ideas are relevant and logically extended, such as the discussion on 'efficiency' for ability-based grouping and 'social benefits' for mixed-ability classes. The position is consistent throughout the essay. To reach a higher band, the student could further develop the examples; for instance, the example regarding mathematics is a good start but could be expanded to explain how the teacher specifically manages the classroom dynamic to ensure the 'weaker' students are not left behind. Overall, the response is well-focused and meets the requirements of the task effectively.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Cohesive devices are used effectively, such as 'On the one hand', 'On the other hand', and 'Furthermore', which guide the reader through the argument. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct ideas. The progression of ideas is smooth, and referencing is generally clear. There is a minor punctuation error in the fourth paragraph ('In my opinion. mixed-ability...'), but this does not significantly disrupt the flow. The use of linking words is natural and contributes to the overall coherence of the piece.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

The student demonstrates a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with precision. Phrases like 'targeted instruction', 'interpersonal skills', and 'peer learning' show an awareness of academic style. There are a few minor slips, such as 'ore advanced' (typo for 'more') and 'cad receive' (typo for 'can'), but these are infrequent and do not impede communication. The vocabulary is generally accurate and appropriate for the context. To improve, the student could incorporate more sophisticated collocations or less common lexical items to demonstrate greater flexibility.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay displays a good variety of complex structures, such as conditional-like constructions and relative clauses ('Students who are struggling...', 'Although grouping students... can offer...'). The majority of sentences are error-free, and the grammar is generally well-controlled. There are a few minor slips, such as 'an provide' (missing 'c' in 'can') and 'classrooms encourages' (subject-verb agreement error). However, these are rare and do not affect the clarity of the message. The punctuation is mostly accurate, with the exception of the period used instead of a comma after 'In my opinion'.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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