Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · IELTS Summit Mastery · 2026-09-12

IELTS Writing Task 2 question

Write about the following topic:

Many young people choose to take a year out between finishing school and starting university in order to gain work experience or to travel. The experience of non-academic life this offers benefits the individual when they return to education.

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 7.5)

It is often argued that taking a year off between completing school and beginning university can provide young people with valuable experiences that benefit them academically and personally. I largely agree with this view, although I believe that the advantages of a gap year depend greatly on how it is spent.

Firstly, gaining work experience during a gap year can help young people develop practical skills that are rarely acquired in a classroom. By working in a professional environment, they can learn how to communicate effectively, cooperate with colleagues, manage their time and take responsibility for their duties. These skills can make students more mature and better prepared for university life. Moreover, employment can give young people a clearer understanding of their career interests. For instance, someone who works in a technology company before studying computer science may discover which areas of the industry genuinely appeal to them, enabling them to make a more informed choice of degree.

Secondly, travelling can be an equally enriching experience. Visiting unfamiliar countries exposes young people to different cultures, languages and ways of life. As a result, they may become more independent, adaptable and open-minded. Such qualities can be particularly beneficial when they eventually enter university, where they are expected to manage their own schedules and make decisions without constant parental supervision. For example, a student who spends several months travelling independently may return to education with greater confidence and a stronger sense of responsibility.

However, a gap year is not automatically beneficial. If young people spend the entire year without pursuing any meaningful activity, they may lose their academic momentum and find it difficult to return to intensive study. There is also a risk that excessive travelling or entertainment could become a distraction rather than a learning experience. Therefore, careful planning is essential if the year is to produce genuine benefits.

In conclusion, I strongly agree that taking a year out can benefit individuals when they return to education. Work experience and travel can foster independence, maturity and practical skills that complement academic knowledge. Nevertheless, young people should use this period purposefully and establish clear goals so that their gap year becomes a valuable stage of personal and professional development.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The student has fully addressed all parts of the prompt, presenting a clear and well-developed position throughout the essay. The introduction establishes a nuanced stance, acknowledging that the benefits depend on how the year is spent. Body paragraphs one and two successfully explore the distinct advantages of work experience and travel, respectively, supporting these points with relevant examples such as working in a technology company or travelling independently. Furthermore, the counter-argument regarding the risks of wasting a gap year is well-integrated and adds depth to the overall discussion, leading to a logical and cohesive conclusion. This performance aligns comfortably with the Band 8 descriptor for Task Achievement, as ideas are thoroughly developed and supported.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organised with a clear progression from introduction to body paragraphs and a concluding summary. Cohesive devices such as 'Firstly', 'Secondly', 'Moreover', and 'However' are used naturally and effectively to guide the reader through the argument. Paragraphing is handled skillfully, with each paragraph focusing on a distinct central theme, such as work experience, travel, and potential pitfalls. Reference pronouns and lexical substitutions are managed appropriately without causing any ambiguity. There is a smooth flow of ideas throughout the response, fully meeting the criteria for a Band 8 in Coherence and Cohesion.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

The writer demonstrates a wide and fluent vocabulary range suitable for an academic essay. Less common lexical items and collocations are used effectively, such as 'academic momentum', 'professional environment', 'open-minded', and 'practical skills'. Word choice and phrasing are natural, with accurate collocations throughout the text. While the vocabulary is not overly ostentatious, it shows precise control and flexibility. Spelling and word formation are entirely accurate, supporting smooth communication and justifying a Band 7.5 or Band 8 score. Here, a solid Band 7.5 rounded or evaluated strictly demonstrates a strong range with very few flaws.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The response displays a wide variety of complex sentence structures used with a high degree of accuracy. The majority of sentences are error-free, and the writer demonstrates good control over subordinate clauses, conditionals, and participial phrases, as seen in structures like 'Visiting unfamiliar countries exposes young people...' and 'If young people spend the entire year without pursuing any meaningful activity...'. Punctuation is handled correctly throughout, and grammar errors are practically non-existent. This level of syntactic flexibility and control corresponds closely to the Band 8 descriptors.

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