Band 4.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 4.0 · IELTS Summit Mastery · 2026-10-07

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 4.0)

A huge number of student choose to study English independently on a self- study basis rather than attend a formal course. I strongly agree because some people want to learn English from watching English movies, shows, podcasts, reading English novels, stories books etc according to their preferences and interest.

Because in formal courses they are shy and nervous to talk in English with their teacher and any other person. So that's why, they prefer to learn English at home.

However, many people learn

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 3.0

Your position is clear: “I strongly agree,” and you give relevant reasons, including learners’ preferences for films, podcasts and reading, as well as feeling shy in formal classes. However, the response stops before explaining these points or addressing the prompt’s concern that independent learners may struggle to manage their studies. The final sentence, “However, many people learn”, is incomplete and leaves the argument unfinished. The response is also 67 words, below the required 250 words; 16 words copied from the task prompt are excluded from that count. To develop the answer, explain how self-study suits different interests, acknowledge possible difficulties such as planning or correcting mistakes, and support your view with a specific example.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 3.5

The response has a basic line of progression: it states agreement, gives a reason about learning preferences, and then adds a point about shyness in formal courses. “Because” and “However” show an attempt to connect ideas, but the links are not consistently effective: beginning a sentence with “Because” leaves it dependent on the previous idea, while “So that’s why” repeats the same causal link. The final “However” introduces a contrast that is never completed. Use separate, purposeful paragraphs and connect each reason to an explanation or example. A complete conclusion would also help the reader follow the argument from the stated position to its final implication.

Lexical Resource: Band 4.5

You use some relevant vocabulary for the topic, including “independently,” “formal course,” “preferences,” and “nervous,” and the examples of “movies, shows, podcasts” make your meaning understandable. However, the range is narrow and several expressions are imprecise or awkward, such as “stories books” and “according to their preferences and interest.” The list of learning materials is not developed into more precise discussion of study methods or benefits. Aim to use accurate collocations and a wider range of topic-specific language, for example, “study at their own pace,” “learning resources,” and “maintain motivation.” Check plural forms in vocabulary choices and avoid relying on repeated general terms such as “English” and “learn.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5

You attempt both simple and linked sentence forms, and the main ideas are generally understandable. There are, however, errors in agreement and sentence construction: “A huge number of student choose” needs a plural noun and matching verb, while “Because in formal courses they are shy…” is a dependent clause presented as a complete sentence. “So that’s why” also creates an awkward sentence link, and the final “However, many people learn” is unfinished. Most of the response relies on short, simple structures, so it does not yet show a controlled range of complex sentences. Practise combining a reason and its explanation in one complete sentence, and check subject–verb agreement, articles and punctuation when editing.

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

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