Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · IELTS Complete Catalyst · 2026-09-16

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 6.5)

These days, some people consider work the most important part of life, while others are more interested in their leisure activities than their careers. Although work is important for financial security and social relationships, I believe that hobbies are more satisfying because they improve well-being and can be continued after retirement.

On the one hand, work plays an important role in supporting a person's life. Most jobs provide a regular income, which can support not only workers but also their families. For example, employees in large companies can earn enough to pay for housing, food and education for their children. Moreover, workplaces can provide opportunities to develop relationships with colleagues. By working and communicating with other people regularly, employees can make new friends and build useful social connections.

On the other hand, leisure activities can provide greater personal satisfaction. Firstly, hobbies can have a positive effect on both physical and mental health. For example, creative activities such as drawing and writing can help people relax and reduce stress. Similarly, physical activities such as going to the gym or dancing can improve fitness and make people physically stronger. Secondly, hobbies can continue throughout a person's life. Unlike jobs, which usually end when people reach retirement age, hobbies can be enjoyed during old age. For instance, many elderly people continue activities such as sewing, gardening or reading because these activities give them enjoyment and keep them active.

In conclusion, although work is essential for financial support and social interaction, I believe that leisure activities are more fulfilling because they benefit people's well-being and can be enjoyed even after retirement.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response successfully addresses all parts of the task by discussing both attitudes towards work and leisure, while clearly presenting the writer's own opinion from the introduction through to the conclusion. The ideas are well-developed and supported with relevant examples, such as mentioning employees in large companies earning enough for housing, food, and education, as well as specific hobbies like drawing, writing, gym, and gardening. The position is maintained logically throughout the essay, demonstrating a clear understanding of the prompt requirements. The arguments provided for both sides are extended sufficiently, meeting the criteria for a strong band score.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay displays a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Each paragraph has a distinct central topic, moving smoothly from the introduction to the body paragraphs discussing work and leisure respectively, and finishing with a cohesive conclusion. Transitional phrases such as 'On the one hand', 'On the other hand', 'Moreover', and 'Secondly' are used appropriately to guide the reader through the arguments. Paragraphing is managed effectively, and referencing is clear throughout the text, ensuring that the relationships between ideas are easy to follow without being overly mechanical.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The student uses a sufficient range of vocabulary with adequate flexibility and precision for the task. Words and phrases such as 'financial security', 'social connections', 'personal satisfaction', and 'retirement age' demonstrate a good control of lexical items relevant to the topic. There are also attempts to use less common vocabulary like 'fulfilling' and 'well-being'. Word choice is generally appropriate with only rare minor issues, and spelling is entirely accurate throughout the response. The lexical resource supports clear and natural communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The writer demonstrates a good control of grammar and punctuation, utilising a mix of simple and complex sentence structures effectively. Examples of complex structures include 'Although work is important for financial security and social relationships, I believe that hobbies are more satisfying because they improve well-being...' and 'Unlike jobs, which usually end when people reach retirement age, hobbies can be enjoyed during old age.' There are frequent error-free sentences, and any minor slips do not impede communication. Punctuation is accurate, and clause structures are handled with confidence.

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