Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · IELTS Complete Catalyst · 2026-09-20

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)

Some people argue that employment is the most crucial aspect of life, while others believe that personal hobbies and leisure activities hold greater importance. In my opinion, professional work is more essential, although a balance between the two leads to a fulfilling life.

Employment provides individuals with independence, responsibility, and social recognition. A stable job ensures financial security, allowing people to afford housing, daily expenses, and unexpected challenges without relying on others. Moreover, work instills discipline and keeps individuals active in their day‑to‑day lives. Beyond financial benefits, employment also grants a sense of dignity and respect within society, which contributes to long‑term stability and confidence.

On the other hand, leisure activities and hobbies play a vital role in maintaining mental health and personal satisfaction. Pursuing creative interests can reduce stress, enhance productivity, and foster innovation. For instance, engaging in music, sports, or art can refresh the mind and improve overall well‑being. However, relying solely on hobbies without a stable income may lead to financial instability and limit opportunities for growth. Passion alone, without planning or sustainability, cannot guarantee independence in the long run.

In conclution, while personal interests enrich emotional well‑being, employment remains the cornerstone of a secure and responsible life. A balanced lifestyle where professional duties provide stability and hobbies offer relaxation ensures both financial independence and personal fulfillment. Ultimately, it is the combination of steady work and meaningful leisure that allows individuals to lead productive, satisfying, and resilient lives.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The student addresses all parts of the prompt by discussing both attitudes towards work and leisure and clearly stating a personal position in the introduction and conclusion. Ideas are relevant and supported with explanations, such as mentioning how employment provides financial security and dignity, while hobbies enhance mental health and reduce stress. However, the response has a minor negative impact on task achievement because the word count is 241 words, which falls short of the required 250-word minimum. Despite this length penalty, the overall task fulfillment remains solid, covering the central topics adequately and maintaining a clear and consistent stance throughout the essay.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay demonstrates a clear overall progression and logical organisation. Each paragraph has a distinct focus: the introduction outlines the topic and thesis, the second paragraph discusses the merits of employment, the third explores the benefits and limitations of hobbies, and the conclusion neatly ties the arguments together. Cohesive devices such as 'Moreover', 'On the other hand', and 'However' are used appropriately to guide the reader through the arguments. Paragraphing is logical, and referencing throughout the text is generally clear and effective, placing this response comfortably at band 7 for coherence and cohesion.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The student demonstrates a sufficient range of vocabulary with good flexibility and precision, successfully using less common lexical items such as 'financial security', 'social recognition', 'emotional well-being', and 'cornerstone'. Word choice is generally appropriate and collocation is handled well, as seen in phrases like 'fostering innovation' and 'personal satisfaction'. There are occasional slips, such as the spelling typo in the conclusion ('conclution'), but this minor error does not impede communication. The lexical range is adequate to discuss abstract concepts effectively, aligning well with band 7 descriptors.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The response features a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures, including conditional or participial modifications like 'Pursuing creative interests can reduce stress...' and 'A balanced lifestyle where professional duties provide stability...'. There is good control of grammar and punctuation overall. While there is a minor spelling mistake noted elsewhere, the grammatical structures themselves are accurate, and frequent error-free sentences are produced. The complexity of the sentences combined with a high degree of accuracy supports a solid band 7 rating for this criterion.

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