Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-24
IELTS Writing Task 2 question
The working week should be shorter and workers should have a longer weekend.
Do you agree or disagree?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Student answer (Band 5.0)
It is often argued that everyone, including young people, should save money for their future. I largely agree with this statement because saving money can provide financial security and help people deal with unexpected situations.
One important reason why people should save money is that the future is uncertain. People may face unexpected problems, such as losing their job or having an emergency. If they have some savings, they will be in a better position to manage these difficulties without depending completely on other people. For example, a person who saves a small part of their monthly income can use this money during a period of unemployment.
Another reason is that saving money helps young people achieve their future goals. Many young people want to continue their education, start a business, or buy a house. These goals often require a significant amount of money. Therefore, developing the habit of saving at a young age can help them become more financially independent. For instance, students who save money regularly may be able to pay for some of their educational expenses in the future.
However, I believe that young people should not focus only on saving money. They should also enjoy their lives and spend money on useful experiences, such as travelling or learning new skills. The most important thing is to maintain a balance between saving for the future and spending money wisely in the present.
In conclusion, I agree that saving money is important for people of all ages, including young people. It can provide financial security and help people achieve important goals. Nevertheless, people should save responsibly while also enjoying their present lives.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 1.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 6.5 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 1.0
The response is completely off-topic. The prompt asks for an opinion on whether the working week should be shorter and the weekend longer. However, the student has written an essay about the importance of saving money. Because the response does not address the task prompt at all, it fails to meet the requirements of the task. While the essay is well-structured and coherent in its own right, it cannot be awarded marks for task achievement as it does not respond to the specific question provided.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5
Despite being off-topic, the essay demonstrates a clear logical progression. The ideas are well-organized into distinct paragraphs, and the student uses cohesive devices such as 'One important reason', 'Another reason', 'However', and 'In conclusion' effectively to guide the reader through the argument. The paragraphing is logical, with each paragraph focusing on a specific point. The transition between ideas is smooth, and the overall structure is coherent, which is a strength of the writing style.
Lexical Resource — Band 6.0
The vocabulary used is appropriate for an academic essay. The student demonstrates a sufficient range of vocabulary to express ideas clearly, such as 'financial security', 'unexpected situations', 'financially independent', and 'responsibly'. The word choice is generally accurate and natural, and there are no significant spelling or collocation errors. While the range is not particularly sophisticated or 'wide' in terms of uncommon lexical items, it is more than adequate for the task.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5
The student uses a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There is a high level of grammatical accuracy throughout the text, with very few errors. Complex structures, such as conditional sentences ('If they have some savings, they will be in a better position...') and relative clauses, are used correctly. Punctuation is also handled well. The writing is clear and easy to follow, demonstrating a solid grasp of English grammar.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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