Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · 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 7.5)

Some people regard work as the most important part of their lives, whereas others are more enthusiastic about their hobbies and leisure activities. Both attitudes have valid reasons behind them. While work provides financial security and professional achievement, leisure activities can contribute to happiness and overall well-being. In my opinion, people should maintain a healthy balance between the two.

On the one hand, prioritising work can be beneficial for several reasons. A stable career enables people to earn a reliable income, support their families and achieve financial independence. Furthermore, those who devote more time to their jobs may have better opportunities for promotions, higher salaries and professional recognition. For ambitious individuals, career development can also provide a strong sense of achievement. For example, a young employee may work long hours in the early stages of their career to gain valuable experience and eventually secure a senior position.

On the other hand, giving greater importance to hobbies and leisure can improve people's quality of life. Activities such as playing sports, travelling, reading or spending time with friends allow individuals to relax after demanding working days. They can also reduce stress and help people maintain their physical and mental well-being. For instance, someone who regularly plays cricket with friends after work may feel refreshed and return to their job with greater concentration. In contrast, people who focus exclusively on their careers may eventually experience stress and burnout.

In my view, neither work nor leisure should completely dominate a person's life. Although a successful career is important for financial stability and personal growth, people also need sufficient time to enjoy themselves and maintain relationships. A balanced lifestyle can make individuals happier while also helping them remain productive at work.

In conclusion, while some people prioritise their careers for financial and professional reasons, others value leisure for relaxation and personal satisfaction. I believe that combining a meaningful career with adequate time for hobbies and family is the most sustainable approach.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the task by discussing both attitudes—work as the most important thing in life versus hobbies and leisure interests taking priority—and clearly presents the writer's own opinion in the introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. Ideas are well developed and supported with relevant explanations and examples, such as the young employee working long hours for career advancement and the cricket example illustrating stress relief. There is a clear, consistent position maintained throughout the essay. The task is handled thoroughly, and all requirements are successfully met, warranting a strong score in Task Achievement.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay demonstrates a clear logical organisation and progression from the introduction through the body paragraphs to the conclusion. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately, with each paragraph focusing on a distinct central theme, such as the benefits of work or the value of leisure. Cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand', 'Furthermore', 'On the other hand', 'For instance', and 'In conclusion' are used effectively to guide the reader through the arguments. Referencing is clear throughout, and the overall progression of ideas feels natural and cohesive.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The student uses a sufficient and generally appropriate range of vocabulary for the task, successfully incorporating less common lexical items such as 'financial independence', 'professional recognition', 'exclusively', 'burnout', and 'sustainable approach'. Word choices are precise, and collocation is generally natural. There are very few lexical errors, and the vocabulary used allows the writer to convey precise meanings clearly. The range is flexible enough to discuss both abstract concepts and concrete examples fluently.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The response displays a good variety of complex sentence structures, featuring subordinate clauses, participial phrases, and conditional ideas used accurately. The majority of sentences are error-free, and the writer demonstrates good control of grammar and punctuation throughout. Complex structures are handled with confidence, as seen in sentences like 'While work provides financial security and professional achievement, leisure activities can contribute to happiness and overall well-being.' Errors are extremely rare, reflecting a high level of grammatical accuracy.

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