Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · IELTS Complete Catalyst · 2026-08-12
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 5.5)
People have different views about their life, many people consider work as the key factor in life and have a very small interest in their hobbies or leisure. Meanwhile, often people give a higher priority to their hobbies and leisure interest. In my own opinion there should be a work life balance to support a healthy and dynamic relationship with each other.
According to the first argument we should put work as our highest priority and give little to no time to hobbies. This sort of life has its pros and cons, giving preference to work makes you financially stable and gives a more senior position at work. Although being financially stable is good but we have to consider other areas of our life having a hobby or leisure interest reduces stress and cortisol levels. We can also join other people with the same interests to have more fun.
The second argument discusses that people are more passionate about their hobbies and leisure interest than their own jobs. Hobbies and leisure activities can provide relaxation and opportunities to develop other interests. For instance, playing sports regularly can improve fitness while also allowing people to socialise and reduce stress.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 250 words, reaching only 198 words. This significantly impacts the development of ideas. While you have addressed both viewpoints and provided an opinion, the arguments are underdeveloped. For instance, the discussion on work-life balance is brief and lacks depth. To improve, you must expand on your points with more detailed explanations and concrete examples. The conclusion is also missing, which is a critical component of a balanced discussion essay. Because the response is substantially under-length, it cannot be awarded a higher band score for task achievement.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organised into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical and limited. Phrases like 'According to the first argument' and 'The second argument discusses' are functional but repetitive. There is a lack of sophisticated linking words to connect ideas within and between paragraphs. To improve, try using a wider variety of transition signals such as 'consequently', 'furthermore', or 'in contrast' to create a smoother flow of information. The progression of ideas is logical, but the overall cohesion is basic.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary used is generally accurate but lacks the range and precision required for higher bands. You rely on common words like 'good', 'fun', and 'small interest'. While these do not impede communication, they do not demonstrate a wide range of vocabulary. There is an attempt to use some topic-specific terms like 'financially stable' and 'cortisol levels', which is positive. To reach a higher band, you should incorporate more academic collocations and less common lexical items to express your ideas with greater nuance and sophistication.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The essay contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are some grammatical errors, such as 'often people give' (word order) and 'relationship with each other' (which is slightly redundant). Punctuation is generally acceptable, but there are some run-on sentences, such as the first sentence of the introduction. To improve, focus on using a wider variety of complex structures, such as conditional sentences or relative clauses, while ensuring that your subject-verb agreement and word order remain accurate. Most errors do not prevent the reader from understanding your meaning.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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