Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · IELTS Summit Mastery · 2026-08-12

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)

A huge number of students choose to study English independently rather than attend a formal course. Although self-study offers several advantages, I largely agree that learning without the guidance of a teacher can make it difficult for students to manage their studies effectively.

On the one hand, self-study can be highly beneficial because it gives learners greater flexibility. Students can choose what they want to learn, study at their own pace, and arrange their lessons around their personal schedules. For example, a university student who has a part-time job may find it easier to study English for one hour in the evening instead of attending a fixed class. In addition, there are now countless free resources available online, including videos, podcasts, language-learning applications and practice exercises. These resources allow motivated learners to improve their vocabulary, grammar, listening and reading skills without paying for a formal course.

On the other hand, I believe that studying without a teacher can create several serious difficulties. First, students may not know which areas they should focus on or how to organise their study time. As a result, they may spend too much time on easy topics while neglecting important weaknesses. Second, independent learners often receive little or no feedback on their mistakes. This is particularly problematic when learning speaking and writing because students may repeatedly use incorrect grammar or pronunciation without realising it. A teacher, by contrast, can identify these problems and provide immediate corrections and personalised advice. Furthermore, attending a course can provide motivation and a sense of responsibility, whereas students studying alone may easily lose discipline or stop studying altogether.

In conclusion, self-study is a convenient and inexpensive way to learn English, particularly for highly motivated students. Nevertheless, I agree to a large extent that the absence of a teacher makes it harder to organise learning, identify weaknesses and maintain motivation. Therefore, I believe that a combination of independent study and formal instruction is the most effective approach.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You clearly state your position in the introduction and maintain it throughout the essay. The arguments regarding the benefits of self-study (flexibility, resources) and the drawbacks (lack of direction, absence of feedback, motivation) are well-developed and supported with relevant examples. The conclusion provides a balanced summary that reinforces your stance. The ideas are extended logically, and the response is well-focused on the topic throughout, meeting the requirements for a high band score by providing a comprehensive and thoughtful analysis of the issue.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between the benefits and the drawbacks is handled smoothly using cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand', 'On the other hand', and 'Furthermore'. Referencing is clear, and the paragraphing is used effectively to structure the argument. The flow of information is natural, and the use of linking words is neither mechanical nor repetitive, which contributes to a coherent and easy-to-follow response.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for an academic task. Phrases like 'largely agree', 'countless free resources', 'particularly problematic', and 'absence of a teacher' show a level of precision and natural collocation. While the vocabulary is accurate and fits the context well, it could be elevated further by incorporating more sophisticated or less common lexical items to reach the highest band. However, the current range is sufficient to convey your ideas clearly and effectively without any noticeable errors in word choice.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay displays a wide range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences with subordinate clauses (e.g., 'Although self-study offers several advantages, I largely agree that...'). The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation and tense usage is excellent. There are no significant grammatical slips that impede communication. The variety of sentence forms used—ranging from simple to complex—is well-managed, demonstrating a high level of accuracy and flexibility throughout the text.

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.