Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · IELTS Summit Mastery · 2026-09-19

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 6.5)

Nowadays, many students prefer to learn English independently instead of attending formal courses. Although self-study offers flexibility and convenience, I largely agree that students may face difficulties without the guidance of a teacher. This essay will discuss the reasons for my opinion.

Firstly, studying English independently allows students to learn at their own pace. They can choose suitable learning materials, study whenever they have free time, and focus on their weaknesses. For example, students can use YouTube videos, language-learning applications, and online exercises to improve their vocabulary and grammar. This approach is particularly beneficial for people who have busy schedules or cannot afford expensive language courses.However, learning without a teacher can create several challenges. One major problem is that students may not know whether they are making grammatical or pronunciation mistakes. A teacher can identify these weaknesses and provide appropriate feedback. Furthermore, some students struggle to maintain a regular study routine because they lack supervision and motivation. For instance, an individual preparing for the IELTS examination might spend more time watching English videos than practising writing or speaking, which can negatively affect their progress.

In my opinion, self-study is useful, but formal instruction is generally more effective for students who need structured learning and regular feedback. The best approach may be to combine both methods. Students can attend classes to receive guidance from teachers and practise independently at home to strengthen their skills.

In conclusion, although independent English learning provides flexibility and various resources, I largely agree that students can find it difficult to manage their studies without a teacher. Combining classroom instruction with self-study can help learners achieve better results.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response successfully addresses all parts of the task by exploring both the advantages of self-study and the challenges students face without a teacher. Your position is clearly stated in the introduction and maintained throughout the essay. For instance, you acknowledge that independent learning offers flexibility, but you largely agree with the prompt by highlighting crucial issues such as the lack of error correction and motivation. Ideas are well-extended with relevant examples, including the mention of online applications and preparing for the IELTS examination. The conclusion ties the arguments together logically and proposes a balanced solution. This performance aligns well with Band 7 descriptors.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay displays a clear logical organization and progression throughout. Each paragraph has a distinct focus, beginning with an introduction, followed by body paragraphs discussing the benefits of self-study and the challenges of lacking a teacher, and concluding with a synthesis of ideas. Cohesive devices are used effectively to guide the reader, such as 'Firstly', 'However', 'Furthermore', and 'In conclusion'. Paragraphing is used appropriately, and referencing throughout the text is clear. However, a minor spacing error is present between paragraphs ('courses.However, learning...'), which slightly affects the presentation but does not impede readability. This demonstrates solid Band 7 control.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary with some flexibility and precision suitable for an academic task. You use less common lexical items such as 'flexibility and convenience', 'independent learning', 'structured learning', and 'formal instruction'. Word choice is generally natural, and collocations like 'maintain a regular study routine' and 'negatively affect their progress' are used accurately. There are no notable spelling or word-choice errors that impede communication. While the vocabulary is effective, it occasionally lacks the higher-level, sophisticated nuance required to reach Band 8. Therefore, a solid Band 7 is awarded.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The response features a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. You successfully employ complex forms using subordinating conjunctions and relative clauses, such as 'Although self-study offers flexibility and convenience, I largely agree that students may face difficulties...' and 'This approach is particularly beneficial for people who have busy schedules or cannot afford expensive language courses.' Control of grammar and punctuation is generally good, and the majority of your sentences are error-free. While a missing space before 'However' constitutes a minor mechanical slip, it does not obscure meaning. Grammatical control is strong and consistent, fitting the Band 7 criteria.

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

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