Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Barron's Writing · 2026-09-30
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)
Students can gain more knowledge in the presence of their teachers in school. However, some people think that children can learn better when they are grouped in classes with children of similar academic abilities.While other might think that children can learn better when they are in classes with children representing a wide range of academic abilities. This essay will discuss both views before explaining why I believe, children can learn with pupils representing a diverse range of academic abilities.
On the one hand, children can feel comfortable if they are placed with the same IQ level students. To elaborate it, they can have same time management abilities while solving different type of tasks and giving response to teachers in class. For instance, students can have similar competitive abilities to stand out in sports competition.
On the other hand, some children can achieve more knowledge from other class fellows not only about studies but also may know about their culture, language and customs. This can make them more confident and may enhance their learning abilities. For epitome, they can learn different languages.
In my opinion, students can learn in both situations it depends on the school also how they evaluate pupils, but if students are in their comfort zone they can’t learn new things however, when they are not in their comfort zone they may try to learn and concentrate more on different things and can do a better competition with other students to acquire a position in class.
In conclusion, it may improve their learning abilities and can make them feel more confident, whereas, few individuals think that their students can learn with children of same academic abilities and some believe they can achieve knowledge more when placed with children representing a diverse range of academic abilities.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5
The response addresses all parts of the prompt by discussing both views on student ability grouping and clearly stating the author's opinion in the introduction and body paragraphs. The position is maintained throughout the essay. However, the ideas lack full extension and development, often remaining somewhat simplistic. For instance, the argument regarding similar IQ levels focuses narrowly on time management and sports competitions rather than deeper academic engagement. Similarly, the points about diverse classes touching on culture and customs are valid but lack specific, fully explored examples. While the student does provide examples like 'sports competition' and 'different languages', they are brief and under-developed, aligning best with Band 6.0 descriptors.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5
The essay displays a coherent overall arrangement with a clear paragraph structure, including an introduction, two body paragraphs representing the two views, a personal opinion paragraph, and a conclusion. Transitional phrases such as 'On the one hand', 'On the other hand', and 'In my opinion' are used to guide the reader through the text. However, cohesion is sometimes mechanical or faulty. For example, referencing and cohesive links in sentences like 'To elaborate it, they can have same time management abilities' are awkward. Paragraphing is present, but the transition between the opinion paragraph and the concluding summary feels slightly blurred, as the conclusion reiterates previous views rather than succinctly wrapping up the argument. This places the performance firmly at Band 6.0.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.5
The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, successfully employing topic-specific terms such as 'academic abilities', 'diverse range', 'time management', and 'comfort zone'. There are several attempts to use less common vocabulary, but these are accompanied by noticeable inaccuracies or unnatural collocations, such as 'same time management abilities', 'giving response to teachers', and 'For epitome' (a misuse of 'epitome' instead of 'example' or 'instance'). Spelling is generally accurate, but word choice errors occur periodically. Because the vocabulary is sufficient to communicate the main points despite these slips and awkward collocations, the response meets the criteria for Band 6.0.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5
The response features a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, demonstrating some variety in structure. Complex structures are attempted, such as 'While other might think that children can learn better when...' and 'it depends on the school also how they evaluate pupils, but if students are...'. However, these complex sentences frequently contain grammatical errors, punctuation issues, or run-on tendencies. There are minor grammatical errors such as 'other might think' (plurality/article issue), missing commas, and awkward phrasing ('if students are in their comfort zone they can’t learn new things however, when they are not...'). Although errors are present, they rarely impede communication, allowing the writer to achieve a Band 6.0.
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.