Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · IELTS Complete Catalyst · 2026-08-22

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 7.5)

People have different views about whether work should be the main focus of life or whether greater importance should be given to hobbies and leisure. While a successful career can provide both financial security and personal satisfaction, I believe that people should maintain a balance between their professional and personal lives.

On the one hand, some people consider work to be the most important aspect of their lives because it offers financial stability and a sense of achievement. A demanding career can provide opportunities for promotion, higher income and professional recognition. Moreover, people who are passionate about their professions may genuinely enjoy overcoming challenges and developing their expertise. For example, entrepreneurs and researchers often work long hours because they find their achievements highly rewarding. For such individuals, work is not merely a way of earning money but also an important source of purpose.

On the other hand, others place greater value on hobbies and leisure activities. One major reason is that leisure allows people to relax and recover from the pressures of employment. Activities such as exercising, travelling or pursuing creative interests can improve mental well-being and reduce stress. In addition, spending time with family and friends helps people maintain meaningful relationships, which may be neglected by those who devote most of their time to their careers.

In my opinion, neither extreme is ideal. Although professional success is important, allowing work to dominate life can result in stress, exhaustion and weaker personal relationships. People should therefore take their careers seriously while reserving sufficient time for activities and relationships that bring them happiness.

In conclusion, work can provide both security and fulfilment, whereas leisure contributes greatly to health and happiness. A balanced approach is, in my view, the most desirable way to achieve a satisfying life.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You have clearly discussed both perspectives—the focus on work and the focus on leisure—and provided a well-reasoned personal opinion. The ideas are well-developed, with specific examples such as 'entrepreneurs and researchers' to support the argument for work, and 'exercising, travelling or pursuing creative interests' to support the benefits of leisure. The position is consistent throughout the essay, and the conclusion effectively synthesises the arguments presented. The response is balanced and demonstrates a clear understanding of the task requirements.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organised with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between paragraphs is smooth, using effective cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand', 'Moreover', 'On the other hand', and 'In addition'. The use of referencing is precise, and the paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different viewpoints. The flow of the argument is natural, and the reader is guided clearly through your reasoning from the introduction to the conclusion without any confusion.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary that is appropriate for an academic context. Phrases like 'financial stability', 'professional recognition', 'mental well-being', and 'devote most of their time' show a flexible use of language. The vocabulary is precise and contributes to the clarity of your arguments. While the range is sufficient and accurate, incorporating a few more sophisticated, less common collocations or idiomatic expressions could elevate the response further. Overall, the lexical control is strong and supports the communication of complex ideas effectively.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay displays a wide range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences with subordinate clauses (e.g., 'While a successful career can provide...', 'Although professional success is important...'). The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation and tense usage is excellent. There are no significant grammatical errors that impede communication. The writing is fluent and demonstrates a high level of accuracy, which is consistent with a high band score for this criterion.

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