Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · IELTS Momentum Workout · 2026-09-30

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 7.0)

The debate surrounding whether children thrive better in mixed gender institutions or single sex environments remains highly contentious. While segregated schooling can minimize classroom distractions, I believe that co educational schools are far more advantageous because they prepare students for the social realities of modern adult life.

Admittedly, single sex education offers certain academic merits that cannot be overlooked. Proponents argue that separating boys and girls eliminates the social pressures and romantic distractions typical of adolescence, allowing students to focus more intently on their academic performance. Furthermore, it can effectively dismantle traditional gender stereotypes in education. For instance, girls in all female environments are often more confident to pursue STEM subjects like mathematics and engineering, while boys feel freer to engage in literature and the arts without fear of peer judgment. Consequently, this specialized setting often yields excellent exam results.

However, the isolation from the opposite sex can severely hinder long term social development. Co educational institutions accurately mirror the real world, providing a natural setting where boys and girls learn to communicate, collaborate, and respect one another from an early age. by working together on academic group projects and participating in shared extracurricular activities, students develop crucial emotional intelligence and break down gender barriers. This daily interaction is indispensable for their future career, as modern workplaces are inherently mixed environments that demand seamless cooperation between men and women.

In conclusion, although single sex schools can optimize academic focus by reducing peer distractions, they ultimately compromise vital social integration. Therefore, I maintain that mixed schools are superior in nurturing well rounded, socially adept individuals who are fully equipped to succeed in a diverse society.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.0

The response fully addresses all parts of the task by discussing both the potential advantages of single-sex schools and the counter-arguments regarding co-educational environments. The candidate presents a clear and well-developed position right from the introductory paragraph, stating that mixed schools are more advantageous for social development. The ideas are extended and supported with relevant examples, such as how single-sex environments dismantle certain gender stereotypes in STEM subjects, and how co-educational settings mirror real-world workplaces. The arguments are logical, cohesive, and directly tied to the prompt question, satisfying all requirements of the Band 7 and Band 8 descriptors.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0

The essay demonstrates a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Each paragraph has a distinct central topic, moving smoothly from the introduction to the concessions regarding single-sex schools, then to the main arguments supporting co-educational schools, and finally to a concise conclusion. Cohesive devices are used effectively and naturally, such as 'Admittedly', 'Furthermore', 'Consequently', and 'However'. Paragraphing is used appropriately to structure the flow of ideas. While referencing and linking are generally well managed, the progression could be slightly more sophisticated to reach the highest bands, but it comfortably sits at a strong Band 7.5 level.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.5

The writer demonstrates a sufficient and flexible range of vocabulary for the task. Less common lexical items are used with good awareness of style and collocation, such as 'contentious', 'segregated schooling', 'dismantle traditional gender stereotypes', and 'emotional intelligence'. Word choice is generally precise, for instance, 'academic merits', 'romantic distractions', and 'seamless cooperation'. There are occasional slight lexical slips or omissions, such as missing hyphens in compound adjectives like 'co-educational' and 'long-term', but these errors do not impede communication. The lexical range is solid and supports the development of the arguments.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 7.0

The essay displays a good variety of complex sentence structures, including conditional or participial phrases like 'By working together on academic group projects and participating in shared extracurricular activities...'. The majority of sentences are error-free, and the control of grammar and punctuation is generally strong throughout the response. There is a minor punctuation slip in the text where a sentence begins with a lowercase letter ('by working together...'), but this is an isolated mechanical error rather than a systemic grammatical weakness. The mix of simple and complex structures is handled with a high degree of accuracy, justifying a solid Band 7.5 score.

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