Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-03

IELTS Writing Task 2 question

It is important for children, young adults, working people and the retired to have at least one hobby.

What's your opinion about this?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Student answer (Band 8.0)

It has always been a matter of debate whether it is essential for everyone to have a hobby. Regardless of whether people are children, young adults, working professionals or retirees, I believe that having at least one hobby is highly beneficial. In my view, pursuing leisure activities can contribute significantly to people's personal development, mental well-being and physical health.

To commence with, having a hobby can benefit children and young adults in several ways. By participating in recreational activities such as reading and writing, children can improve their learning abilities and develop a strong foundation for their education. Similarly, some young people are able to turn their hobbies into careers. Turning a personal interest into a profession or business can provide significant opportunities for growth, particularly because people are more likely to remain motivated when they are passionate about what they do. For instance, individuals who develop interests in areas such as photography, cooking or graphic design may eventually turn these skills into successful careers.

Furthermore, hobbies can be particularly beneficial for working professionals and retirees. For people with demanding jobs, engaging in a favourite activity can provide an effective way to disconnect from work-related stress and pressure. Since many adults lead sedentary lifestyles, participating in physical hobbies can also help them remain active and maintain their overall health. Retirees, in particular, can benefit from hobbies that involve physical activity, as reduced movement during old age can negatively affect both physical and mental well-being. For example, activities such as yoga, gardening and morning walks can help older people stay physically active while also giving them a sense of purpose and enjoyment.

To sum up, I believe that having a hobby is beneficial for people of all ages. It can support children's learning, help young adults explore career opportunities, enable working professionals to manage stress and allow retirees to remain physically and mentally active. Therefore, everyone should be encouraged to pursue at least one meaningful hobby throughout their lives.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You have clearly stated your position in the introduction and maintained it throughout the essay. Each group mentioned in the prompt—children, young adults, working people, and the retired—is addressed with relevant, well-developed arguments. For example, you effectively link hobbies to career development for young adults and stress management for working professionals. The ideas are extended with logical explanations and concrete examples, such as photography and yoga, which demonstrates a strong ability to support your arguments. The response is well-structured and directly answers the question asked.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between paragraphs is smooth. You make effective use of cohesive devices such as 'To commence with', 'Similarly', 'Furthermore', and 'To sum up' to guide the reader through your argument. The paragraphing is used appropriately, with each section serving a distinct purpose in the overall structure. The referencing is clear, and the flow of information is natural, making the essay very easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary that is appropriate for the task. You use topic-specific terms such as 'personal development', 'mental well-being', 'sedentary lifestyles', and 'recreational activities' effectively. The word choice is generally precise and natural. While the vocabulary is sufficient and accurate, it could be elevated further by incorporating more sophisticated collocations or idiomatic expressions to reach the highest band. However, the current range is more than adequate to convey your ideas clearly and with a good level of precision.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The essay displays a wide range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences and varied clause types. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation is excellent. You successfully use conditional structures and participial phrases, such as 'Turning a personal interest into a profession... can provide significant opportunities'. There are no significant grammatical errors that impede communication. The writing is fluent and demonstrates a high level of accuracy throughout the text, reflecting a strong command of English grammar.

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