Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · IELTS Summit Mastery · 2026-09-22

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 6.0)

Many young people decide to take a year off after finishing school and before starting university. During this time, they may work or travel. I agree that this experience can be beneficial for young people when they return to education.

Firstly, working for a year can give young people useful experience. They can learn how to communicate with different people and how to manage their money. They can also understand the importance of being responsible. For example, a student who works in a shop may learn how to deal with customers and work as a member of a team. These skills can be useful when the student starts university and later looks for a job.

Secondly, travelling can also have many benefits. Young people can visit new places and learn about different cultures and lifestyles. It can make them more confident and independent because they have to make their own decisions. For instance, a young person who travels to another city or country may learn how to manage time, money and different problems without depending on parents.

However, taking a year off can also have some disadvantages. Some students may lose their interest in studying after staying away from education for a long time. They may also find it difficult to return to their previous study routine. Therefore, they should use their gap year in a useful and planned way.

In conclusion, I agree that taking a year off can provide valuable work experience and opportunities to travel. In my opinion, if young people use this time properly, it can help them become more responsible, confident and prepared for university life.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response addresses all parts of the task and presents a clear position throughout. The introduction establishes agreement, and the body paragraphs effectively explore the benefits of working and travelling before university. The student also briefly acknowledges disadvantages, which contributes to a more balanced discussion before reiterating the stance in the conclusion. Ideas are supported with relevant examples, such as working in a shop or travelling independently. However, the development of ideas tends to be a little general and could be extended further with deeper analysis to reach a higher band. Overall, the task response is clear, relevant, and well-structured.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay displays a coherent overall arrangement with a clear logical progression of ideas. Paragraphing is used appropriately, with distinct sections for the introduction, working benefits, travel benefits, counter-arguments, and conclusion. Cohesive devices are employed to link ideas, such as "Firstly", "Secondly", "However", and "In conclusion". While these are somewhat standard and traditional, they successfully guide the reader through the text. Referencing is generally clear, though paragraph transitions occasionally rely on somewhat mechanical signposting rather than more sophisticated, subtle cohesion.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The student uses an adequate range of vocabulary appropriate for the task, successfully communicating ideas about career skills, independence, and personal development. Phrases such as "gain work experience", "manage their money", and "different cultures and lifestyles" are used accurately. There are some attempts at less common lexical items, but the vocabulary is largely standard and safe rather than ambitious or flexible. Spelling and word choice are accurate, and communication is never impeded, though the lack of sophisticated or less common idiomatic expressions keeps this at a solid band 6.0 level.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The writer demonstrates a good mix of simple and complex sentence forms. There is good control over basic grammatical structures, and punctuation is generally accurate throughout. Complex structures are attempted with reasonable success, such as in sentences like "For instance, a young person who travels to another city or country may learn how to manage time... without depending on parents." While there are occasional minor limitations in structural range and complexity, the majority of sentences are error-free, and any minor slips do not impede communication in any way.

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

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