Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-23
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)
Nowadays, many people pay others to do household chores or look after their children because they lack time or do not want to do these tasks themselves. I believe this can be a good way to provide work for others, although people should still take responsibility for important tasks in their own lives.
Firstly, paying someone to do household work can create useful employment opportunities. Many people earn a living by cleaning houses, gardening, cooking, or caring for children. This can be especially helpful for people who are busy at work and do not have time to do this kind of work, so if they hire someone for this work, it saves them time to do other work, studies, or family. For example, a person who works long hours may hire a cleaner to help with housework.
However, I do not think people should depend on others for everything. Some household responsibilities should be done by the people who live in the house. For example, everyone should keep their personal space clean and help with other basic household tasks. Parents should also spend time with their children because childcare is not only about watching them but also about building a strong relationship with them. Not only this, but also children learn a lot of things from their parents, such as culture and respectful behaviour.
In conclusion, paying someone to do housework or childcare can be a positive way to provide employment and save time. However, people should not completely avoid their responsibilities. A balance between getting professional help and doing some tasks themselves is the best approach.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 6.5 |
| Overall | 6.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5
The response addresses both parts of the prompt: the economic benefit of providing work and the personal responsibility aspect. The position is clear throughout. However, the development of ideas is somewhat basic. For instance, the argument regarding employment opportunities is a bit repetitive, using the phrase 'do this kind of work' and 'do other work' in the same sentence. While the ideas are relevant, they could be extended further with more specific examples or deeper analysis to reach a higher band. The conclusion effectively summarizes the balanced approach, which helps in maintaining a consistent focus on the task requirements.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0
The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the two main ideas. Cohesive devices such as 'Firstly', 'However', and 'In conclusion' are used to guide the reader. However, some transitions are a bit mechanical, and there is occasional repetition of vocabulary (e.g., 'do this work', 'do these things'). The progression of ideas is clear, but the flow could be improved by using a wider variety of linking words and referencing to avoid repetitive sentence structures.
Lexical Resource — Band 6.0
The vocabulary is adequate for the task, allowing the writer to express their ideas clearly. There is some attempt to use topic-specific vocabulary like 'employment opportunities' and 'household responsibilities'. However, the range is somewhat limited, and there is a reliance on simple verbs like 'do' and 'work' throughout the text. To improve, the student should incorporate more precise synonyms and collocations to demonstrate a wider range of vocabulary. The current level is sufficient for communication but lacks the flexibility and precision required for higher bands.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5
The essay demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There is generally good control over basic grammar, and errors are infrequent and do not impede communication. For example, the use of 'Not only this, but also...' is a good attempt at a complex structure, although it is slightly awkward in this context. While the grammar is mostly accurate, the range of complex structures is limited. Increasing the use of varied subordinate clauses and more sophisticated punctuation would help elevate the score in this criterion.
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.