Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-11

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 is often argued that everyone, regardless of age or employment status, should have at least one hobby. I strongly agree with this view because hobbies improve people’s mental and physical well-being while also helping them develop valuable social and personal skills.

The primary reason hobbies are important is that they provide an effective way to reduce stress and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Children can use hobbies such as drawing, playing an instrument or participating in sports to develop creativity and discipline, while young adults and working people can use them to escape the pressures of study and employment. For example, an office worker who regularly goes swimming or gardening after work may feel less anxious and more energetic than someone who spends all their free time looking at a screen. Similarly, hobbies can be particularly beneficial for retired people, as they give structure and purpose to their daily lives. Joining a walking club, for instance, can help retirees remain physically active and avoid loneliness.

In addition, hobbies enable people to acquire skills and build meaningful relationships. A child who learns chess may develop concentration and logical thinking, whereas a young adult who joins a theatre group may become more confident and improve communication skills. Working people can also benefit professionally from hobbies that involve teamwork or creativity, even if these activities are unrelated to their jobs. For instance, someone who plays in a local football team may learn how to cooperate effectively with others. Retired individuals who take up painting or volunteer work can continue learning, share their knowledge and form friendships with people who have similar interests. These benefits show that hobbies are not merely ways of passing time; they contribute to personal development at every stage of life.

In conclusion, I firmly believe that children, young adults, working people and retirees should all have at least one hobby. Such activities help people manage stress, stay healthy, develop useful abilities and maintain social connections, making their lives more balanced and fulfilling.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the task. You have clearly stated your position in the introduction and maintained it throughout the essay. Each paragraph is well-developed with relevant examples, such as the office worker swimming or the child learning chess. The ideas are extended logically, covering all age groups mentioned in the prompt (children, young adults, working people, and the retired). The arguments are balanced and persuasive, demonstrating a clear understanding of the requirements. No parts of the prompt were ignored, and the conclusion effectively synthesizes the main points discussed in the body paragraphs.

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, using cohesive devices such as 'The primary reason', 'In addition', and 'In conclusion'. Referencing is precise, and the use of linking words like 'whereas' and 'similarly' helps to connect contrasting and supporting ideas effectively. The paragraphing is logical and contributes to the overall clarity of the argument. The flow of information is natural, making the text very easy to follow from start to finish.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.0

You demonstrate a wide and flexible range of vocabulary. The language used is natural and appropriate for an IELTS essay. You successfully incorporate topic-specific vocabulary such as 'mental and physical well-being', 'discipline', 'professional development', and 'balanced and fulfilling'. The word choices are precise, and there are no noticeable errors in collocation or spelling. You avoid repetition by using a variety of synonyms and related terms, which enhances the readability and sophistication of your writing.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The essay displays a wide range of grammatical structures with high accuracy. You use complex sentences effectively, such as 'An office worker who regularly goes swimming or gardening after work may feel less anxious...', which shows good control over relative clauses and modal verbs. Punctuation is used correctly throughout, and there are no significant errors that impede communication. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and the few minor slips that might occur are non-systematic. Your control over tense and subject-verb agreement is consistent.

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