Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · IELTS Summit Mastery · 2026-08-08

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 7.0)

A huge number of students choose to study English independently instead of attending a formal course. Although self-study can be useful in some situations, I agree that many students find it difficult to manage their studies without the help of a teacher.

There are several advantages of studying English independently. First of all, students can choose their own study time and place. This is especially useful for people who have jobs or other responsibilities. They can study whenever they are free and can spend more time on the areas in which they are weak. For example, a student who has difficulty with vocabulary can use English books, mobile applications and online videos to learn new words. Secondly, self-study can be cheaper than joining a formal English course because students do not have to pay course fees.

However, I believe that learning English with a teacher is more effective for many students. One important reason is that teachers can identify students' mistakes and explain how to correct them. This is particularly important for speaking and writing because students may not notice their own grammatical or pronunciation errors. In addition, teachers can provide a proper study plan and encourage students to continue studying regularly. Without a teacher, some students may lose motivation or waste time studying the wrong topics.

Another benefit of formal courses is that students can practise English with other learners. For example, they can take part in speaking activities, discussions and group tasks. This gives them more confidence to communicate in English in real-life situations.

In conclusion, self-study provides flexibility and can save money, but it can also be difficult to manage without guidance. Therefore, I believe that formal English courses are generally more beneficial, especially for students who need regular feedback, motivation and a clear study plan.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, providing a clear position that acknowledges the benefits of self-study while arguing that formal instruction is more effective. The ideas are well-developed, with specific examples provided for both sides of the argument, such as the mention of mobile applications for self-study and the importance of speaking activities in formal settings. The position is consistent throughout the essay, and the conclusion effectively synthesizes the main points. To reach a higher band, the student could further extend the analysis of why self-study is difficult to manage, perhaps by discussing the psychological aspects of self-discipline or the lack of structured assessment.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central topic, and the transition between the advantages of self-study and the benefits of formal courses is smooth. Cohesive devices such as 'First of all', 'Secondly', 'However', and 'In addition' are used effectively to guide the reader. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct arguments. The flow is natural, and the relationship between ideas is always clear. The response demonstrates a high level of control over the structure, making it easy to follow the writer's line of reasoning.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The vocabulary is sufficient and appropriate for the task. The student uses a range of topic-specific terms such as 'formal course', 'grammatical or pronunciation errors', and 'real-life situations'. While the vocabulary is accurate and conveys meaning clearly, it is somewhat functional rather than sophisticated. There is a good attempt at using collocations, such as 'identify students' mistakes' and 'provide a proper study plan'. To improve, the student could incorporate more precise or academic vocabulary to elevate the tone, moving beyond common expressions to more nuanced academic language.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The essay demonstrates a good command of grammatical structures. There is a mix of simple and complex sentences, such as the use of conditional-like structures ('If... then' implied) and relative clauses ('...who has difficulty with vocabulary...'). The sentences are generally error-free, and punctuation is used correctly. The control over verb tenses and subject-verb agreement is consistent. While the range of structures is solid, the essay relies on relatively standard sentence patterns. Incorporating more varied complex structures, such as passive voice or inverted conditionals, would help demonstrate a wider range and push the score higher.

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

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