Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · IELTS Complete Catalyst · 2026-10-20

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 5.5)

First, let's talk about the people who have interest in their hobbies and not in their jobs. They enjoy their activities a lot more, than working the shifts everyday. One of the reasons could be their lack of interest in the work that they do. For example, if i am an agent in a call center and i hate to talk on the phone calls, i would be annoyed after working for few months. The other reason could be that they are bored due to the same schedule everyday. Some people don't like the steadiness in their routine, they like to have a life full of new experiences and to explore different things. I think this group of people include sagitarius and taurus.

Secondly, let's talk about the ones who only prefers their work above anything else. It could be because they are very serious in their lives and have a lot of goals to achieve. That's why they set up their minds that they won't take a breath until they achieve all of those things that they long for. It could be because they are not from a rich background also, and they have to support their families. There might be many compulsions due to which they are unable to enjoy other things and are focused only in the job that they do.

I think we shouldn't judge people based on their interests because there are many things that we don't see, that are hidden behind the curtains. We only look what is shown to us and those shouldn't be the things by which we set our perspective.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You discuss both attitudes: people who prioritise hobbies and people who focus on work, and you offer a concluding view that we should not judge them. However, the response only partly fulfils the task because your own opinion is not clearly connected to the choice between work and leisure; the conclusion mainly comments on judging people. Several ideas are introduced but not developed with relevant support. For instance, the call-centre example illustrates dislike of a job, but the reference to “sagitarius and taurus” does not explain the attitude in a convincing or relevant way. The reasons involving ambition and family responsibilities are also listed rather than explored. State your view directly and develop each main point with a clear explanation or example.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure, with one paragraph for each attitude and a final paragraph for your view. “First” and “Secondly” help signal the two sides, and the ideas within each section are generally understandable. However, progression is somewhat mechanical, and the links between points are not always clear. The first paragraph moves from job dissatisfaction to routine and then to astrology without a logical explanation connecting these ideas. The final paragraph also shifts from the two attitudes to judging people, rather than drawing the discussion together. Use topic sentences that directly frame each side, and connect examples to the point they support. A more focused conclusion would make the overall progression clearer.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use enough vocabulary to communicate the main ideas, including phrases such as “lack of interest,” “new experiences,” “goals to achieve,” and “support their families.” There is some variety in how you describe motivations and preferences. However, several expressions are imprecise or unnatural, such as “enjoy their activities a lot more, than working the shifts,” “set up their minds,” and “hidden behind the curtains.” “Compulsions” is also not the most suitable word for pressures or responsibilities. These choices sometimes make the argument less clear or less academic in tone. Aim for more precise collocations and avoid informal or figurative phrases when a direct expression would communicate your point more effectively.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mix of simple and complex sentences, including conditional structures such as “if I am an agent … I would be annoyed” and clauses explaining reasons. Most of the meaning remains understandable, but errors occur in agreement, articles, punctuation, and sentence construction. For example, “the ones who only prefers” should use a plural verb, while “after working for few months” needs an article. The comma in “activities a lot more, than” is unnecessary, and “everyday” should be two words when it means “each day.” Capitalise “I” consistently. To improve, check subject–verb agreement and articles, and practise building accurate complex sentences before adding several ideas to one sentence.

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

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