Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · IELTS Momentum Workout · 2026-08-01

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 8.0)

Education plas a vital role in shaping children's academic performance and social development. while some individuals believe that boys and girls should be educated in separate schools because it improves learnig outcomes, I believe that co-educational schools provide greater overall benefits by preparing students for modern society while still achieving strong academic results.

Those who support single-sex schools argue that separating boys and girls allows students to focus more on their studies. teenagers are often distracted by the opposite gender, and a single-sex environment may reduce unnecessary competition or social pressure. In addition, teachers can adapt their teaching methosd to suit the learning styles of one gender. For instance, several independent schools in the United Kingdom have reported excellent examination results, particularly among girls studying mathematics and science, where they often participate more confidently without gender stereotypes.

However, I believe that mixed schools offer more significant long-term advantages. In today's workplace, men and women are expected to communicate, cooperate and solve problems together. Co-educational schools help students develop these essential interpersonal skills from an early age. They also encourage mutual respect, reduce gender prejudice and create a more balanced learning environment. A good example is Finland, whose education system is widely recognised as one of the best in the world. Most finnish schools are co-educational, yet students consistently achieve outstanding results in international assessments while developing strong social and collaborative skills.

In conclusion, although single-sex schools may improve concentration and conidence for some students, I believe that co-educational schools are a better choices because they combine academic learning with valuable social development.

AI examiner evaluation

CriterionBand
Task Achievement / Task Response8.0
Coherence and Cohesion8.5
Lexical Resource7.5
Grammatical Range and Accuracy8.0
Overall8.0

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response addresses all parts of the prompt and maintains a clear position throughout. The introduction sets the stage well, and the body paragraphs provide balanced arguments for both sides before concluding with a clear preference. The ideas are relevant and supported by examples, such as the reference to UK schools and the Finnish education system. To reach a higher band, the development of the arguments could be slightly more nuanced; for instance, explaining why the 'social development' aspect in co-educational schools is specifically superior to the 'academic focus' of single-sex schools would add depth. Overall, the response is well-structured and directly answers the prompt.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central topic, and the transition between the opposing view and the author's own opinion is smooth, using appropriate linking words like 'However' and 'In addition'. Cohesive devices are used effectively, such as 'For instance' and 'In conclusion', which help guide the reader through the argument. The paragraphing is appropriate and contributes to the overall clarity of the text. There is no evidence of mechanical or repetitive use of cohesive devices, making the flow of the essay natural and easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

The vocabulary is sufficient and generally precise, allowing for a clear expression of ideas. The student uses topic-specific terminology such as 'co-educational', 'interpersonal skills', 'gender prejudice', and 'international assessments'. While the range is adequate, it could be further enhanced by incorporating more sophisticated collocations or less common lexical items to demonstrate greater flexibility. There are a few minor spelling errors, such as 'plas' instead of 'plays', 'learnig' instead of 'learning', and 'methosd' instead of 'methods', but these do not impede communication. The overall control of vocabulary is good for this level.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The essay demonstrates a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. The student uses complex sentences effectively, for example, 'While some individuals believe that boys and girls should be educated in separate schools because it improves learning outcomes, I believe that...'. There is good control over punctuation and grammar, with only a few minor slips like 'a better choices' (should be 'a better choice') and 'conidence' (spelling). The majority of sentences are error-free, and the grammatical structures used are varied enough to support the arguments clearly. The errors present are non-systematic and do not interfere with the reader's understanding.

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