Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Barron's Writing · 2026-09-08
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 5.5)
Some people think that children learn better when they are placed in similar academic abilities while others think that children learn better when they are placed in mixed academic abilities. In this essay, I will discuss both views and sharing my viewpoints.
On the one side, If children placed in similar academic abilities then they can learn better because it is easy for teachers to teach students in right levels. To explain it more, some students can easily learn new things then they have to do another topic. While other students take lot of time to do one activity .So, it is very hard for teachers to wait for long time for weak students. Weak students want extra help in every activity .
On the other side, If children are placed in mixed academic abilities then they can get chance to learn in fast paced environment. Strong students can help weak students by giving them some tips . All students work hard because there are many competitors against them.
In my views, children learn better if they are in classes with children representing a diverse range of academic abilities. It gives them chance to represent their talent and also learn some skills like communications and confidence.
In Conclusion, although children learn better when they are placed in classes with children of similar academic abilities but they can not get chance to compete over one another . So , it is best option to place children in mixed academic abilities.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The essay addresses both sides of the argument and provides a clear personal opinion. However, the development of ideas is somewhat limited and repetitive. For example, the argument regarding 'weak students' in the first body paragraph is underdeveloped, and the explanation of why mixed-ability classes are beneficial lacks specific examples or depth. Furthermore, the essay falls just short of the 250-word minimum requirement, which negatively impacts the overall task response score. To improve, you should expand on your points with more detailed reasoning and ensure you meet the minimum length requirement to fully explore the prompt.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. You use basic cohesive devices like 'On the one side' and 'In conclusion' to signal shifts in the argument. However, the flow between sentences is sometimes mechanical, and the use of cohesive devices is repetitive. For instance, the transition between the benefits of mixed-ability classes and your personal opinion could be smoother. To reach a higher band, try to use a wider variety of linking words and ensure that your referencing (e.g., 'they', 'this') is always clear and precise.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
Your vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, allowing you to communicate your ideas clearly. However, the range is somewhat limited, and there is a reliance on simple, repetitive phrasing such as 'learn better' and 'placed in'. There are also minor errors in word choice, such as 'competitors against them' instead of 'competition'. To improve, you should aim to incorporate more topic-specific vocabulary related to education, such as 'academic differentiation', 'peer-assisted learning', or 'collaborative environment', and avoid repeating the same phrases throughout the essay.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The essay contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally distract the reader. Common issues include missing articles ('in right levels'), incorrect verb forms ('If children placed' instead of 'If children are placed'), and punctuation errors, such as unnecessary spaces before commas. While these errors do not completely impede communication, they are frequent enough to prevent a higher score. Focusing on subject-verb agreement and the correct use of articles will significantly improve the accuracy of your writing.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.