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)

I strongly agree that it is important for people of all ages to have at least one hobby. Hobbies are not simply ways of passing free time; they can improve our mental health, develop useful skills and make our lives more enjoyable.

For children, hobbies can play an important role in their development. Activities such as drawing, playing a musical instrument or participating in sports can help children become more creative, confident and disciplined. For example, a child who plays football can learn how to cooperate with teammates and follow rules. Similarly, young adults can use hobbies to reduce the pressure caused by education, relationships and other responsibilities. Reading, photography or travelling can provide them with a healthy way to relax and explore new interests.

Working people also need hobbies because their jobs can often be stressful and tiring. Spending time gardening, cooking, exercising or listening to music allows them to take their minds off work. In my experience, people who regularly make time for enjoyable activities tend to feel more relaxed and energetic. Hobbies can also help them develop friendships with people who have similar interests.

For retired people, hobbies can be even more important. After retirement, individuals may have more free time and fewer opportunities to socialise. Joining a club, learning a new skill or volunteering can give them a sense of purpose and help them remain socially active.

In conclusion, I believe that having a hobby is beneficial for everyone, regardless of age. Hobbies help people stay mentally and physically healthy, reduce stress, build relationships and enjoy a more balanced life.

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 in a dedicated paragraph, providing relevant reasons and examples for each. The ideas are well-developed and logical, such as the link between football and teamwork for children, or the need for social engagement for the retired. The response is balanced and demonstrates a clear understanding of the task requirements, effectively justifying why hobbies are beneficial across the lifespan.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme that is introduced by a topic sentence. You have used a variety of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'Similarly', 'For example', and 'In conclusion', which help the reader follow your argument without difficulty. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different age groups, which enhances the overall structure. The flow between sentences is smooth, and the referencing is clear throughout the text, making the essay easy to read and follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey your ideas with precision. Phrases like 'passing free time', 'develop useful skills', and 'sense of purpose' are used accurately and naturally. While the vocabulary is appropriate and clear, it remains somewhat functional. To reach a higher band, you could incorporate more sophisticated or less common lexical items to demonstrate a wider range. However, there are no significant errors in word choice or collocation, and the language used is consistently appropriate for the context of the essay.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The essay demonstrates a good command of grammatical structures. You have successfully used a mix of simple and complex sentences, such as 'Activities such as drawing, playing a musical instrument or participating in sports can help children become more creative, confident and disciplined.' Punctuation is accurate, and there are very few, if any, grammatical errors. The sentence structures are varied and contribute to the overall readability of the response. The control over grammar is consistent, and the majority of your sentences are error-free, which is a strong indicator of your current proficiency.

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

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