Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.5 · IELTS Momentum Workout · 2026-07-31

IELTS Writing Task 2 question

In many parts of the world girls and boys are educated together in co-educational or mixed schools. Some people think that girls and boys benefit from being educated separately in single-sex schools. To what extent do you agree with this view?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge and experience. Write at least 250 words.

Student answer (Band 8.5)

Nowadays, many countries provide education through co-educational schools where boys and girls study together. While some people argue that students achieve better academic and personal development in single-sex schools, I largely disagree with this view because mixed schools prepare students more effectively for real-life situations and promote equality.

On the one hand, supporters of single-sex education believe that separating boys and girls creates a more focused learning environment. Students may experience fewer distractions, allowing them to concentrate better on their studies and achieve higher academic performance. Furthermore, teachers can adopt teaching methods that cater specifically to the learning styles of one gender. For example, some studies suggest that girls in single-sex schools are more likely to participate confidently in science and mathematics classes without feeling intimidated.

However, I believe that co-educational schools offer greater long-term benefits. Since society consists of both men and women, studying together enables students to develop essential communication, teamwork, and interpersonal skills from an early age. Moreover, mixed schools encourage mutual respect and reduce gender stereotypes by allowing students to interact naturally with one another. These experiences prepare them for universities and workplaces, where collaboration between both genders is inevitable. For instance, students who attend co-educational schools often adapt more easily to professional environments because they are already accustomed to working with diverse groups of people.

In conclusion, although single-sex schools may provide a more focused academic atmosphere for some students, I believe the advantages of co-educational schools are far greater. By promoting equality, improving social skills, and preparing young people for real-world environments, mixed education offers more comprehensive and lasting benefits.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the task. You have clearly stated your position in the introduction and maintained it throughout the essay. The arguments are well-developed, with the first body paragraph acknowledging the opposing view regarding focused learning, and the second body paragraph providing strong, logical support for co-educational environments. The examples provided, such as the mention of professional environments and university settings, are relevant and effectively support your main points. The conclusion provides a clear summary of your position, ensuring the response is balanced and comprehensive.

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 opposing view and your own argument is smooth, using effective signposting language like 'On the one hand' and 'However'. Cohesive devices are used naturally and accurately throughout the text, such as 'Furthermore', 'Moreover', and 'For instance'. The paragraphing is logical and contributes to the overall clarity of the argument, making the text easy to follow from start to finish.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary that is appropriate for an academic essay. Phrases such as 'cater specifically to the learning styles', 'mutual respect', and 'gender stereotypes' show a good command of topic-specific language. The vocabulary is used with precision, and there are no instances where word choice impedes communication. While the vocabulary is accurate and fits the context well, incorporating a few more sophisticated or less common collocations could elevate the score further towards the top band.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5

The essay displays a high level of grammatical control. You have successfully used a variety of complex sentence structures, such as conditional clauses ('Since society consists of...') and relative clauses ('...where collaboration between both genders is inevitable'). The majority of your sentences are error-free, and punctuation is used correctly throughout. There are no significant grammatical errors that distract the reader or cause confusion. The control over tense and subject-verb agreement is consistent, reflecting a strong command of English grammar.

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