Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · IELTS Summit Mastery · 2026-08-11

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 6.0)

Nowadays, many students choose to learn English on their own instead of joining formal courses. While self-study can be useful and convenient, I mostly agree that learning without a teacher can make it harder for students to manage their studies effectively.

One clear advantage of studying independently is flexibility. Students can choose when and what they want to study, depending on their own needs. For example, they can spend more time on grammar if they are weak in this area, or practise speaking through videos and language apps. There are also many free resources online, so students do not always need to pay for an expensive course.

However, self-study can also be challenging. The biggest problem is that students may not know exactly what they are doing wrong. A teacher can identify their weaknesses, explain difficult topics and give useful feedback. This is particularly important for skills such as writing and speaking. In addition, some students may lose motivation when they study alone because there is no one to check their progress. For example, a student might continue making the same grammar mistakes without realising them.

In conclusion, studying English independently can save time and give students more freedom. However, I believe that having a teacher is still important because professional guidance and regular feedback can help students improve faster. Therefore, combining self-study with some teacher support is probably the most effective way to learn English.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response addresses the prompt and maintains a clear position throughout. However, the essay is 236 words long, failing to meet the 250-word minimum requirement. This under-length significantly impacts the development of ideas. While the arguments regarding flexibility and the necessity of teacher feedback are relevant, they are somewhat brief. To reach a higher band, you need to expand on your points with more detailed examples or deeper analysis. For instance, you could elaborate on how specific types of teacher feedback, such as error correction in writing, directly impact long-term language acquisition. The position is clear, but the lack of sufficient word count prevents a more thorough exploration of the topic.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the progression of ideas is easy to follow. You use cohesive devices such as 'However,' 'In addition,' and 'For example' effectively to link sentences and ideas. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the overall structure is coherent. To improve further, ensure that the transition between the benefits of self-study and the necessity of a teacher is even smoother to create a more cohesive flow of argument throughout the entire piece.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'flexibility,' 'professional guidance,' and 'effectively' correctly. The language is natural and conveys your meaning clearly without any significant errors. However, the vocabulary is somewhat functional and lacks the range of less common or more sophisticated lexical items that would characterize a higher band score. To improve, try to incorporate more precise academic collocations or topic-specific vocabulary related to language learning methodologies to demonstrate a wider and more flexible range of expression.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The essay displays a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. Your grammar is generally accurate, and there are very few errors that impede communication. For example, you correctly use conditional structures and complex sentences like 'While self-study can be useful and convenient, I mostly agree that...'. Punctuation is used correctly throughout. To achieve a higher band, you should aim to include a greater variety of complex grammatical structures, such as passive voice or more advanced subordinating conjunctions, while maintaining the high level of accuracy you have already demonstrated.

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

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