Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · IELTS Complete Catalyst · 2026-08-10
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 5.0)
On the one hand, some people consider work to be the most important aspect of their loves. A successful career can provide financial stability and help people achieve their personal goals. Moreover, people who are highly committed to their jobs may receive promotions and better salaries. For example, many professionals work long hours because they want to build a successful career and provide a comfortable life for their families.
On the other hand, other people are more interested in their hobbies and leisure activities than their jobs. Spending time on enjoyable activities can reduce stress and improve mental well-being. In addition, hobbies allow people to spend quality time with their family and friends. For instance, someone who enjoys playing sports or travelling may feel more relaxed and satisfied after spending time on these activities.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 4.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 6.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 4.0
The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 250 words, reaching only 134 words. Consequently, the development of ideas is severely limited. While the essay touches upon both perspectives—the importance of work and the value of leisure—it fails to provide a clear personal opinion, which is a mandatory requirement of the prompt. The arguments are presented in a very brief, superficial manner without sufficient extension or supporting evidence. To improve, you must expand each body paragraph with more detailed examples and include a clear introduction and conclusion that explicitly states your own position on the topic.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The essay is organized into two distinct paragraphs, which is a positive start. You use basic cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand', 'On the other hand', 'Moreover', and 'In addition' to link your ideas. However, because the text is so short, the overall progression of ideas is underdeveloped. There is no introduction to set the context or a conclusion to summarize your stance. To achieve a higher band, you need to ensure that your ideas flow logically across a full-length essay, using a wider variety of cohesive devices to connect sentences and paragraphs more fluidly.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary used is generally appropriate for the topic, such as 'financial stability', 'mental well-being', and 'professional'. However, the range is quite limited, and there is a lack of less common or more sophisticated lexical items that would demonstrate a higher level of proficiency. The language is functional but repetitive. To improve, try to incorporate more precise academic vocabulary and collocations related to work-life balance, such as 'professional fulfillment', 'recreational pursuits', or 'sedentary lifestyle', to add depth and nuance to your writing.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0
The grammar is generally accurate, and your sentence structures are clear. You demonstrate a good grasp of basic sentence construction and use some complex structures, such as 'people who are highly committed to their jobs may receive...'. There are very few grammatical errors, which is a strength. However, the range of structures is limited; the essay relies heavily on simple and compound sentences. To increase your score, you should aim to incorporate a wider variety of complex grammatical structures, such as conditional sentences, passive voice, or relative clauses, while maintaining the current level of accuracy.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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