Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · IELTS Summit Mastery · 2026-08-24

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 growing number of students choose to study English independently rather than attend formal courses. Although self-study offers flexibility and independence, I largely agree that students may struggle to manage their studies effectively without a teacher.

One major advantage of self-study is that learners can study according to their own schedules and learning preferences. For example, students can use online videos, language-learning applications and podcasts to practise English whenever they have free time. This is particularly useful for university students with busy academic schedules. However, studying independently requires considerable discipline and motivation. Without a teacher to establish deadlines and monitor progress, students may procrastinate or focus only on areas they enjoy. Consequently, they may develop an unbalanced set of language skills.

Furthermore, teachers provide guidance and immediate feedback that independent learners often cannot obtain. This is especially important for speaking and writing, as students may repeatedly make grammatical or pronunciation errors without realising them. A teacher can identify these weaknesses and recommend suitable exercises to address them. For instance, a student preparing for the IELTS examination may believe that memorising vocabulary is enough, whereas a teacher can identify problems with coherence, grammar, pronunciation and task response. Regular feedback can therefore help learners improve more efficiently and avoid repeating the same mistakes.

In conclusion, although self-study provides flexibility and can be highly effective for motivated learners, I believe that most students benefit significantly from teacher guidance. Therefore, combining independent learning with formal instruction is likely to produce the most effective and balanced results.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the task. You have taken a clear position from the introduction and maintained it throughout the essay. The ideas are well-developed, particularly the distinction between the flexibility of self-study and the necessity of teacher-led feedback for skill acquisition. The arguments are supported with relevant examples, such as the mention of IELTS preparation and the specific challenges of speaking and writing. The conclusion effectively synthesises the arguments and provides a balanced final perspective. The response is focused and relevant throughout.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organised with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central topic sentence, and the transition between the benefits of self-study and the limitations of it is smooth. You have used a variety of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'However', 'Consequently', 'Furthermore', and 'For instance', which help to guide the reader through your argument. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different aspects of the discussion. The flow of information is natural and easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary that is appropriate for an academic context. Phrases such as 'unbalanced set of language skills', 'immediate feedback', and 'formal instruction' show a level of precision. The word choice is generally accurate and natural. While there is not a high frequency of very sophisticated or idiomatic vocabulary, the range used is sufficient to convey your ideas clearly and precisely. There are no noticeable spelling or word-choice errors that impede communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The response displays a high level of grammatical control. You have used a mix of simple and complex sentence structures effectively, such as the use of conditional and concessive clauses (e.g., 'Although self-study provides flexibility... I believe that...'). The majority of your sentences are error-free, and punctuation is used correctly throughout. There are no significant grammatical slips that distract the reader or cause confusion. The control over complex structures is consistent and accurate.

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