Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-22
IELTS Writing Task 2 question
Some consumers are increasingly choosing to buy goods that are produced in their local area, rather than imported goods.
What are the reasons for this?
Is this a positive or a negative trend?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Student answer (Band 6.0)
Employers often request personal information from job applicants, including their hobbies, interests, and marital status, during the recruitment process. While some people believe that such details help employers make better hiring decisions, others argue that they are unnecessary and may lead to unfair treatment. This essay will discuss both viewpoints before explaining why I believe only job-related personal information should be considered.
On the one hand, supporters argue that personal information can help employers assess whether a candidate is suitable for a particular role. For example, hobbies often reveal qualities such as teamwork, creativity, or leadership, which may be valuable in the workplace. Furthermore, knowing an applicant’s personal circumstances can help employers understand their availability and long-term commitment. As a result, companies may be able to recruit individuals who fit both the job requirements and the workplace culture.
On the other hand, many people believe that asking for personal information is irrelevant and may result in discrimination. Factors such as marital status or personal interests have little connection with a person’s ability to perform a job effectively. Employers should instead evaluate candidates based on their qualifications, work experience, and professional skills. If hiring decisions are influenced by personal details, highly capable applicants may be treated unfairly, which could reduce equal employment opportunities.
In my opinion, employers should only request information that is directly related to the job. While hobbies can sometimes provide useful insights into a candidate’s personality, questions about marital status or other private matters should generally be avoided because they are unrelated to job performance. Recruitment should be based primarily on merit, ensuring that every applicant receives a fair and unbiased opportunity.
In conclusion, although some employers believe that personal information helps them choose suitable candidates, others consider it unnecessary and potentially discriminatory. I believe that hiring decisions should focus mainly on professional qualifications, with only relevant personal information being taken into account.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 1.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.5 |
| Overall | 6.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 1.0
The response is completely off-topic. The prompt asks about the reasons for consumers choosing local goods over imported ones and whether this is a positive or negative trend. However, the essay discusses whether employers should ask for personal information during job interviews. Because the response fails to address the actual task prompt, it cannot be assessed for task achievement in relation to the set question. While the essay itself is well-structured and coherent, it does not fulfill the requirements of the task provided.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5
Despite being off-topic, the essay demonstrates a high level of coherence and cohesion. The text is logically organized into clear paragraphs, with a strong introduction, body paragraphs that follow a clear 'on the one hand/on the other hand' structure, and a summary conclusion. Cohesive devices such as 'Furthermore', 'As a result', and 'In conclusion' are used effectively to guide the reader through the argument. The progression of ideas is smooth and easy to follow throughout the text.
Lexical Resource — Band 7.5
The vocabulary used is precise, varied, and appropriate for an academic essay. The student demonstrates a good command of topic-specific language related to recruitment, such as 'job applicants', 'recruitment process', 'workplace culture', and 'equal employment opportunities'. The range is sufficient to express complex ideas clearly, and there are no noticeable errors in word choice or collocation. The language is natural and sophisticated, fitting the requirements for a high band score.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5
The essay displays a wide range of grammatical structures with high accuracy. The student uses complex sentences effectively, such as 'While some people believe that such details help employers make better hiring decisions, others argue that they are unnecessary'. Punctuation is used correctly, and there are very few, if any, grammatical errors. The majority of sentences are error-free, demonstrating a strong command of English grammar and syntax.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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