Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · IELTS Summit Mastery · 2026-10-16

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 5.0)

Nowadays a large portion of student are learning english by self study without any formal tutor of classes.While i agree that studying without teacher can be challenging but not a very hard nut to crack.The difficulties can be overcome by proper strategies.

On the one hand, many believe that studying English without any mentor is not difficult task.So many student started making their own strategies and started learnig english independently.Without teacher you were unable to identify your mistakes and there is huge probability of gramatical and pontuactional mistake.You are unbale to set any specific goals and without goals it would be long track to run and to compete.

On the other hand,the one who fallow proper mentorship and guidence from teacher and also take help from internet and youtube any attend classes for

learning polish there skill and enhance there learning with in no time.One of another factor is that classes create the sense of competation and the healthy enviroment of competation makes you to learn fast.For example i personally learn alot of learning and speaking skills of english by watching movies with subtitle and taking proper online classes.

I partially agree with taking classes without any formal course could be benifical but not hard nut to crack.With proper strategies and goals you can achieve your task but if one is lacking goals then formal classes seems to be more benifcal.

In conclusion,the one can learn english by both means but having proper channel of guidence and sense of competation seems to be more appropriate then self study.But pragmetically both can be manageable if one work with disciplne,consistency and determination.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You address the question and give a qualified position: you acknowledge that independent study can be difficult, while arguing that strategies and goals can make it manageable. The examples of learning through films and online classes are relevant. However, the position is not consistently clear: the opening says self-study is “not a very hard nut to crack,” while the conclusion favours guidance and competition, without fully explaining how these views fit together. Some points, such as the risk of not identifying mistakes or setting goals, are introduced but not developed with specific explanation. To strengthen the response, state clearly how far you agree and explain the conditions under which independent learners can succeed or need a teacher.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response has an introduction, two body paragraphs and a conclusion, and signposts such as “On the one hand,” “On the other hand” and “In conclusion” help readers recognise the stages of the argument. However, the overall progression is difficult to follow because the first body paragraph begins by saying self-study is not difficult, then lists disadvantages, while the next paragraph shifts to the benefits of teacher guidance. The relationship between these ideas is not made explicit. Some linking is also repetitive or awkward, and the example is inserted without a clear connection to the preceding point. Organise each paragraph around one clear claim, then use explanation and an example to show how it supports your position.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You attempt a range of topic-related vocabulary, including “mentor,” “specific goals,” “healthy environment” and “consistency,” and some phrases communicate relevant ideas. However, the range is limited by repeated or imprecise wording, and frequent spelling and word-choice errors make parts harder to understand. Examples include “pontuactional,” “fallow,” “competation” and “benifcal”; “hard nut to crack” is also repeated and sounds informal for this essay. Some combinations are unnatural, such as “learn a lot of learning and speaking skills.” Build accuracy by checking spelling and learning common academic collocations, for example “develop speaking skills” and “receive guidance.” Aim for precise wording rather than relying on repeated phrases.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more complex sentences, including a contrast with “While I agree…” and conditional ideas such as “if one is lacking goals.” However, complex structures are often faulty, and errors occur frequently enough to make some sentences difficult to interpret. For example, “many student started making their own strategies and started learnig” has problems with plural agreement and verb form, while “Without teacher you were unable to identify” shifts between singular reference and past tense. Articles and sentence boundaries are also often missing, as in “studying without teacher” and “classes for learning polish there skill.” Practise accurate subject–verb agreement, articles and consistent verb forms, and proofread punctuation so that each sentence expresses one complete idea.

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

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