Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Barron's Writing · 2026-11-02

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 5.0)

Children learn better when they are place with children with diverse academic abilities because when they will help each other exceed the limit or any bariers. Children learn fast from themselve because it serves as a motivation to one another and you will see them pushing to be like their peer. But when they are in class with similar academic abilities you will noticed that they will be on the same level, and there will be lack of motivation among them. Even the teachers will not receive any credit from the parents because there is no excellent child in the class, because they are of the same abilities unlike when you have diverse range of academic mixed together in a class. I had an experience with my son when he was 2 years old and we need to register him in a school. There is a school close to the house because it is closer and cheaper we decided to go for it but something happened after a session, i noticed that my son academic level was below average and that got me worried, me and my wife begins to ask questions, that was when our friend that his child attend the same school was giving the same complain. That was when we discovered that they are of similar academic ability. We decided to try another school that is more expensive after a session our son academic level has increased. In my option i will advise every parents to make sure that their children attend school that encourage diverse range of academic abilities.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

Your position is clear: you favour mixed-ability classes, and the account of your son’s experience gives the response a relevant personal example. However, the task asks you to discuss both views, and the case for grouping children of similar ability is only briefly mentioned: you say they may remain “on the same level,” without explaining why some people consider this arrangement beneficial, such as allowing teachers to tailor instruction. Your own example also does not establish that ability grouping caused the improvement, since other differences between the schools are not explored. To develop the response further, explain each view fairly, then use specific reasoning and evidence to support your opinion.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.5

The response has a recognisable progression from your preference, to a personal example, and then to a recommendation. However, it is presented as one long paragraph, so the discussion of the two views and the example are not clearly separated. Connections between ideas are often repetitive or unclear: “because” and “that was when” recur, while the shift from general claims to your son’s experience is abrupt. Some references, such as “they” in “they will be on the same level,” require the reader to infer who is meant. Use separate paragraphs for the two positions, your example, and your conclusion, and choose linking phrases that show contrast and cause more precisely.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant vocabulary for the topic, including “academic abilities,” “motivation,” and “diverse range,” and the personal example is generally understandable. However, the range is limited and several word choices or collocations are inaccurate, which makes parts of the argument less precise. For example, “exceed the limit” does not clearly express how pupils help one another progress, and “receive any credit from the parents” is an unnatural way to describe parents’ views of teachers. There are also spelling and word-form errors, including “bariers” and “themselve.” Build a more precise vocabulary for classroom learning and check spelling and collocations when editing.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and longer sentences, including a sequence describing the decision to change schools, but control is inconsistent. Errors in verb forms and agreement occur frequently: “when they are place,” “you will noticed,” and “my wife begins to ask” should use appropriate forms such as “placed,” “notice,” and “began.” Articles, plurals, and sentence boundaries also need attention, as in “their children attend school” and the long sentence beginning “There is a school close to the house.” These errors sometimes make the reader work to follow the meaning. Practise accurate past-tense narration and break long sentences into shorter, complete units with clear punctuation.

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

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