Band 9.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 9.0 · IELTS Summit Mastery · 2026-07-26

IELTS Writing Task 2 question

The position of women has changed a great deal in many societies over the past 50 years. But these societies cannot claim to have achieved gender equality

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your knowledge or experience.

Student answer (Band 9.0)

Over the past half-century, women have made remarkable progress in many areas of life, including education, employment, and politics. Although these achievements have significantly improved their social and economic status, I strongly agree that genuine gender equality has not yet been fully achieved. Deep-rooted inequalities continue to exist in many societies despite substantial progress.

On the one hand, there is no denying that women today enjoy far greater opportunities than they did fifty years ago. Access to higher education has increased dramatically, enabling women to pursue professional careers in fields such as medicine, engineering, business, and law. Furthermore, many countries have introduced laws prohibiting gender discrimination in the workplace and promoting equal educational opportunities. Women have also become influential political leaders, CEOs, scientists, and entrepreneurs, demonstrating that they are capable of excelling in positions traditionally dominated by men. These developments reflect a significant shift in societal attitudes towards women's rights and capabilities.

However, despite these advances, complete gender equality remains an unrealised goal. One of the most persistent issues is the gender pay gap, with women in many countries still earning less than men for comparable work. In addition, women continue to be underrepresented in senior leadership positions across both the public and private sectors. Many also face the "glass ceiling," an invisible barrier that limits career progression regardless of their qualifications or experience.

Another major challenge is the unequal distribution of unpaid domestic responsibilities. Even when women work full-time, they often shoulder a greater share of childcare, housework, and caregiving than men. This imbalance limits their career opportunities and contributes to financial inequality. Moreover, in some developing countries, women still experience restricted access to education, healthcare, property ownership, and legal protection. Gender-based violence, harassment, and discrimination also remain widespread problems that undermine women's safety and freedom.

In conclusion, while the status of women has improved enormously over the past fifty years, it would be inaccurate to claim that true gender equality has been achieved. Continued legal reforms, cultural change, equal economic opportunities, and shared family responsibilities are essential to eliminate the remaining barriers and create a genuinely equal society.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 9.0

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You clearly state your position in the introduction and maintain it throughout the essay. The arguments are well-developed, covering both the progress made (education, employment) and the persistent barriers (pay gap, glass ceiling, domestic burden). The ideas are extended with relevant examples and logical reasoning, demonstrating a thorough understanding of the topic. The conclusion effectively synthesizes your main points and provides a forward-looking summary. There are no omissions, and the response is balanced and insightful.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between the acknowledgement of progress and the identification of remaining challenges is smooth. You use a variety of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'Furthermore,' 'However,' 'In addition,' and 'Moreover,' which help guide the reader through your argument. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct points, and referencing is clear throughout. The flow is natural and professional, making the text very easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 9.0

You demonstrate a wide and sophisticated range of vocabulary. Phrases such as 'deep-rooted inequalities,' 'unrealised goal,' 'persistent issues,' and 'undermine women's safety' show a high level of lexical control. You use collocations accurately and appropriately for the academic context. There are no noticeable errors in word choice or spelling. The vocabulary is not only accurate but also contributes to the formal and persuasive tone of the essay, reflecting a strong command of English.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 9.0

The essay displays a wide range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences with subordinate clauses and varied sentence beginnings. The grammar is highly accurate, with almost no errors. Punctuation is used correctly to manage long sentences and lists. Your control over verb tenses and modal verbs is consistent, and the overall structure is error-free. The writing is fluent and demonstrates a high level of grammatical maturity, which is consistent with the requirements for a high band score.

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