Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-07

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 7.5)

The issue of whether people should have hobbies has become increasingly important in recent years, as hobbies play a significant role in personal development. In my opinion, having a hobby is essential for people of all age groups because it not only improves personal skills but also helps build new social connections.

One key point to consider is that hobbies can help individuals develop their personal abilities. In other words, doing activities that you enjoy can increase self‑confidence and improve specific skills. For example, playing video games can enhance creativity and problem‑solving skills, as many games require quick thinking and strategic planning. In addition, hobbies often teach time management because certain tasks must be completed within a limited period. Therefore, it is clear that hobbies contribute to personal growth.

Another important aspect is that hobbies allow people to meet new individuals and expand their social circle. This is because people with similar interests often come together through shared activities. A good example of this can be seen in the music community. If someone enjoys playing the piano and attends a local music festival, they can meet people with different musical tastes and backgrounds. As a result, they may build new friendships and even receive opportunities to perform with local bands, which can lead to additional income. Thus, hobbies can create valuable social and professional connections.

In conclusion, I strongly believe that children, young adults, working professionals, and retired individuals should all have hobbies. Hobbies improve personal abilities and help people build meaningful relationships, which may even open doors to new career opportunities.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, clearly stating an opinion in the introduction and maintaining it throughout. The ideas are well-developed, with specific examples provided for each age group mentioned in the prompt. The argument regarding personal development and social connection is logical and relevant. To reach a higher band, the student could further elaborate on how hobbies specifically benefit different demographics, such as the retired, as the current examples focus more on general benefits rather than age-specific nuances. Overall, the response is well-structured and directly answers the task requirements.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, two body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph has a clear central topic, and the progression of ideas is smooth. Cohesive devices such as 'In other words', 'In addition', 'For example', and 'As a result' are used effectively to link sentences and ideas. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct points. The flow of the argument is natural, making the essay easy to follow. The use of referencing is accurate, and the transition between paragraphs is seamless.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

The vocabulary is sufficient and appropriate for the task. The student uses a range of topic-specific vocabulary such as 'personal development', 'strategic planning', 'time management', and 'social circle'. While the vocabulary is accurate and conveys meaning clearly, it lacks a high degree of sophistication or idiomatic usage that would characterize a band 8 or 9. There are no significant errors in word choice or collocation, and the language used is natural and fits the context of the essay well.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay demonstrates a good command of grammatical structures. There is a mix of simple and complex sentences, such as the use of conditional structures ('If someone enjoys... they can meet...') and relative clauses. The grammar is generally accurate, with very few errors. Punctuation is used correctly throughout. The sentence structures are varied, which helps maintain the reader's interest. The control over complex structures is consistent, and the minor slips do not impede communication or cause any confusion for the reader.

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

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