Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-05

IELTS Writing Task 2 question

It is sometimes possible to pay somebody to do things you don't want to do, or don't have time to do, for example, household chores or looking after children.

Is this a good way of providing work for others?

Should people do these things themselves?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Student answer (Band 6.5)

Many people today choose to pay others to complete tasks such as cleaning, cooking, gardening, or looking after children because of their busy lifestyles. While this creates employment opportunities for many people, I believe individuals should still carry out some responsibilities themselves whenever possible.

On the one hand, hiring people to perform household tasks is an effective way of creating jobs. Many cleaners, babysitters, gardeners, and caregivers rely on this type of work as their main source of income. As more families require these services, employment opportunities increase, especially for students, part-time workers, and people with limited qualifications. In addition, paying professionals can save valuable time for those who have demanding careers, allowing them to focus on work and spend more quality time with their families.

On the other hand, I believe people should not depend entirely on others for everyday responsibilities. Basic household chores, such as cleaning, cooking, and washing clothes, are essential life skills that everyone should learn. Parents should also spend time caring for their own children because this strengthens family relationships and helps children develop emotionally. Although hiring help may be necessary in certain situations, such as when both parents work long hours or an elderly person requires special care, it should not replace personal responsibility.

In conclusion, paying others to carry out household tasks provides valuable employment and can make life more convenient. However, I believe people should continue to perform most everyday duties themselves, using paid assistance only when genuinely needed.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response addresses both parts of the prompt: the benefits of providing work and the necessity of personal responsibility. The position is clear throughout. However, the response is slightly under the 250-word minimum (247 words), which is a negative factor in Task Achievement. While the ideas are relevant and logically developed, the brevity limits the depth of the arguments. To reach a higher band, you should expand on your examples—for instance, by elaborating on the specific emotional benefits of childcare or the societal impact of domestic service employment. The ideas are well-structured, but they require more extensive support to fully meet the requirements of the task.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The essay is well-organized with a clear introduction, two body paragraphs, and a conclusion. The progression of ideas is logical, moving from the economic benefits of hiring help to the personal importance of self-reliance. Cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand', 'In addition', and 'However' are used effectively to guide the reader through the argument. Paragraphing is used appropriately, with each paragraph focusing on a distinct central theme. The flow is smooth and the relationship between ideas is easy to follow, demonstrating a good level of control over coherence and cohesion.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'employment opportunities', 'demanding careers', and 'personal responsibility' correctly. The language is natural and conveys your meaning clearly. However, the vocabulary is somewhat functional rather than sophisticated. To improve, try to incorporate more precise or academic collocations. For example, instead of 'paying professionals', you could use 'outsourcing domestic duties'. While there are no significant errors in word choice or spelling, the range is not broad enough to reach the higher bands, as it lacks a variety of less common lexical items.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The essay displays a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. You use subordinating conjunctions like 'because' and 'although' effectively to link ideas. The grammar is generally accurate, with very few errors that impede communication. Punctuation is handled well, and the sentence construction is clear. To achieve a higher band, you could experiment with a wider variety of complex structures, such as conditional sentences or passive voice constructions, to demonstrate greater flexibility. Overall, the writing is grammatically sound and easy to read.

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

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