Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · IELTS Summit Mastery · 2026-07-30

IELTS Writing Task 2 question

A huge number of students choose to study English independently on a self- study basis rather than attend a formal course. However, without the assistance of a teacher, students often find it difficult to manage their studies.

To what extent do you agree or disagree ?

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

Student answer (Band 7.5)

While there is an increasing number of students who decide to study English independently, I would argue that they might find it difficult to manage their studies without the help of professional teachers.

First and foremost, it must be considered that learners have their own reasons to study on their own, such as a tight budget, and flexibility. Studying independently enables students to choose when, where, and how they want to study, exploring the most suitable study pattern for them, whereas having a teacher may require students to show up at a certain time and follow a teaching method that is not really helpful for them, which fundamentally goes against the reason why they start learning. Additionally, in some developing countries, namely China, finding an English teacher is not affordable for everyone, leading some learners to self-study.

Nevertheless, the downsides of self-study cannot be ignored, especially when it comes to English. There are too many aspects in this subject, such as pronunciation, grammar, vocabulary, and comprehension. Not only may students realize that they cannot practice pronunciation without correction but they also may find it difficult to manage all the aspects. For instance, for the first few months of my English learning journey, I wasted a substantial amount of time and energy because I did not have guidance to know what I should study next. Moreover, without the reassurance from professionals, individuals might doubt their learning methods, which has a negative impact on their progress.

In conclusion, for the sake of flexibility and saving money, students may choose to study on a self-study basis; but, such an approach may require more time and confidence. Students need to accept the fact that they may not be able to improve certain aspects on their own.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

You have addressed all parts of the prompt, clearly stating your position that self-study is difficult without professional guidance. Your arguments regarding the benefits of self-study (flexibility, cost) and the drawbacks (lack of correction, difficulty in managing study paths) are relevant and well-supported. The inclusion of a personal example adds depth to your argument. To reach a higher band, you could further develop the 'extent' of your agreement by discussing whether certain types of learners (e.g., advanced vs. beginner) might be better suited for self-study, which would provide a more nuanced perspective.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

Your essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. You use cohesive devices effectively, such as 'First and foremost,' 'Additionally,' 'Nevertheless,' and 'For instance,' to guide the reader through your arguments. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the advantages and disadvantages. The progression of ideas is smooth and easy to follow. To improve, ensure that the transition between the benefits and the drawbacks is even more seamless, perhaps by using a more sophisticated linking phrase to contrast the two sides of the argument.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with precision. Phrases like 'professional guidance,' 'learning journey,' and 'substantial amount of time' are used effectively. While your vocabulary is accurate, it is generally functional rather than sophisticated. To achieve a higher band, try to incorporate more idiomatic expressions or less common collocations related to education and language acquisition. For example, instead of 'not affordable,' you could use 'prohibitively expensive,' and instead of 'not really helpful,' you could use 'counterproductive' or 'ineffective.'

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, and your control over grammar is generally good. Most of your sentences are error-free, and your punctuation is accurate. There are minor areas for improvement, such as the phrasing 'a self-study basis,' which could be more naturally expressed as 'independently' or 'through self-study.' Your use of complex structures, such as 'Not only may students realize... but they also may find,' is well-handled. To reach a higher band, aim for a greater variety of complex sentence forms and ensure that your verb tenses remain consistent throughout.

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