Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · IELTS Complete Catalyst · 2026-08-07

IELTS Writing Task 2 question

Some people regard work as the most important thing in life and have little interest in anything else. Other people are more enthusiastic about their hobbies and leisure interests than their jobs.

Discuss both these attitudes and give your own opinion.

You should use your own ideas, knowledge and experience and support your arguments with examples and relevant evidence.

Student answer (Band 6.0)

Some people consider that work is the most significant part of human life. Others believe that leisure time is more essential than professional activities. I will argue both sides of the discussion and present my opinion on the matter. I think that individuals should strive for a work/leisure balance in their lives.

Firstly, work is of great importance because it ensures financial stability and gives people a sense of accomplishment. An individual needs a job to afford a comfortable residence, food, clothing, and education. Moreover, the achievements one realizes at work provide satisfaction and self-confidence. For instance, when a person gets promoted, they feel pride and joy regarding their positive professional impact. Individuals decide to focus on their careers to achieve professional growth and strengthen their personalities.

Secondly, people should devote time to their hobbies and leisure activities. Hard work and extreme focus on career may lead to physical and mental exhaustion. When an individual feels tired, they need to rest and engage in actions that bring them joy and peace of mind. For instance, sports, music, and spending time with friends help people relax and renew their energy. Additionally, a hobby may become an essential part of one’s identity and enable them to meet like-minded people. For instance, playing volleyball is my hobby, and it keeps me physically active, healthy, and socializes. Thus, this leisure activity is vital for my life.

In conclusion, I believe that the time spent on work and leisure activities should be balanced. Work ensures financial stability and personal growth, while hobbies and leisure activities are necessary for human well-being.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, discussing both attitudes toward work and leisure and providing a clear personal opinion. The ideas are relevant and well-supported with examples, such as the mention of promotions for work and sports for leisure. The position is consistent throughout the essay. To reach a higher band, the development of ideas could be slightly more nuanced; for instance, exploring the societal implications of these attitudes rather than just personal benefits would add depth. Overall, the task is fully addressed with a clear, logical structure.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. Cohesive devices such as 'Firstly', 'Moreover', 'Additionally', and 'In conclusion' are used effectively to guide the reader. Paragraphing is used appropriately, with each paragraph focusing on a central theme. The progression of ideas is smooth, and referencing is clear throughout. The use of cohesive devices is not mechanical, and the flow of the argument is consistent, meeting the requirements for a high band in this criterion.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary is sufficient and appropriate for the task. The student uses a range of topic-specific terms like 'financial stability', 'professional growth', 'mental exhaustion', and 'like-minded'. While the range is adequate, it lacks some of the more sophisticated or idiomatic collocations that would characterize a band 8 or 9 performance. There are no significant errors in word choice, and the language used is precise enough to convey the intended meaning clearly. The student demonstrates a good control of vocabulary throughout the response.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The essay demonstrates a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. Most sentences are error-free, and the grammar is generally accurate. There is a minor error in the sentence 'it keeps me physically active, healthy, and socializes', where the parallel structure is slightly disrupted by the verb 'socializes'. However, this does not impede communication. The use of punctuation is generally correct, and the control over complex structures is consistent. The majority of the text is error-free, reflecting a solid command of English grammar.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.