Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · IELTS Summit Mastery · 2026-08-13

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)

Nowadays, a large number of students choose to learn English independently instead of attending formal courses. Although self-study can provide flexibility and freedom, I largely agree that students may find it difficult to manage their studies without the guidance of a teacher.

One major problem with self-study is that students may not know how to organise their learning effectively. A teacher can create a suitable study plan and help learners decide which skills they should focus on. Without this guidance, students may spend too much time on easy topics and neglect areas where they are weak. For example, a student preparing for an English examination may practise vocabulary for several hours but fail to spend enough time developing speaking or writing skills. As a result, their overall progress may be slow.

Another difficulty is that students may make mistakes without realising them. This is particularly important when learning English because grammar, pronunciation and writing require regular feedback. A teacher can identify mistakes and explain how to correct them. In contrast, students studying alone may continue using incorrect grammar or pronunciation for a long time. For instance, a learner may practise speaking through online videos but still make the same pronunciation mistakes because there is nobody to provide direct feedback.

However, self-study also has some clear advantages. Students can choose their own study time and use a wide range of online resources, such as educational videos, language-learning applications and websites. This can make learning more convenient and affordable. Moreover, motivated students who have good time-management skills can make significant progress without attending a formal course.

In conclusion, I agree to a large extent that learning English without a teacher can be challenging because students may struggle with planning and correcting their mistakes. Nevertheless, self-study can be effective for disciplined learners, particularly when they make good use of online resources and follow a clear study plan.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

You have fully addressed all parts of the prompt by presenting a clear position and supporting it with relevant arguments. Your introduction establishes a balanced view, and the body paragraphs provide logical reasons for the challenges of self-study, such as the lack of structured planning and the inability to receive corrective feedback. You also acknowledge the counter-argument regarding the benefits of self-study, which demonstrates a well-developed response. The ideas are extended and supported with clear examples, such as the mention of students neglecting weak areas or struggling with pronunciation. Your position remains consistent throughout the essay, meeting the criteria for a high band score.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and you use cohesive devices effectively to link your points. For instance, the use of transition signals like 'One major problem', 'Another difficulty', 'In contrast', and 'Moreover' helps the reader follow your argument smoothly. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different stages of your discussion. The referencing is clear, and the flow between the advantages and disadvantages of self-study is handled with good control, ensuring the essay reads as a cohesive whole.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with precision. You use topic-specific terms such as 'formal courses', 'time-management skills', 'educational videos', and 'corrective feedback' appropriately. While the vocabulary is accurate and natural, it stays within a standard range. To reach a higher band, you could incorporate more sophisticated collocations or less common lexical items to add nuance to your arguments. However, your word choice is consistently appropriate, and there are no errors that impede communication or cause confusion for the reader.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

Your writing displays a good variety of complex structures, such as the use of conditional-like structures ('Without this guidance, students may...') and concessive clauses ('Although self-study can provide...'). The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation and grammar is strong. You demonstrate the ability to construct complex sentences with ease. While there are no major errors, the range of structures is solid rather than highly sophisticated. The grammar is accurate enough that it does not distract from the clarity of your message, reflecting a high level of proficiency.

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