Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-16

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)

I strongly agree that people of all ages should have at least one hobby. In my opinion, hobbies are important because they help individuals maintain a healthy balance in life, reduce stress and develop useful skills.

For children and young adults, hobbies can play an important role in their personal development. Activities such as playing a musical instrument, drawing or participating in sports can improve creativity, discipline and social skills. For example, a child who regularly plays football not only becomes more physically active but also learns how to cooperate with teammates and follow rules. Similarly, young adults can use hobbies to discover their interests and develop abilities that may benefit them in their future careers.

Hobbies are equally valuable for working people because they provide an opportunity to take a break from professional responsibilities. Many employees experience stress because of long working hours and busy schedules. Spending a few hours each week gardening, reading or exercising can help them relax and return to work with greater energy and concentration. For instance, someone who goes cycling after work may find it easier to manage daily stress and maintain better physical health.

Finally, hobbies can be particularly beneficial for retired people. After leaving employment, some individuals may feel bored or isolated because they have more free time and fewer social interactions. Joining a book club, learning to cook or volunteering can give them a sense of purpose while allowing them to meet new people.

In conclusion, I believe everyone should have at least one hobby, regardless of age. Hobbies not only provide enjoyment but also contribute to people's physical, mental and social well-being.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The student presents a very clear and well-developed position throughout the response, effectively covering all four age groups mentioned in the prompt (children, young adults, working people, and the retired). The introduction clearly states a strong agreement and outlines the main reasons. Each subsequent body paragraph is dedicated to a specific demographic group, offering relevant, well-chosen examples such as a child playing football, someone cycling after work, or a retired person joining a book club. The ideas are extended and supported logically without wandering off-topic. This performance strongly aligns with the Band 8 descriptor, as all parts of the task are covered well with fully developed ideas and only a very natural and appropriate level of generalisation.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The essay displays a clear logical organisation and progression from introduction to conclusion. Each paragraph has a distinct central topic, moving smoothly from children to young adults, working people, and finally retired individuals. Cohesive devices are managed well, using transition markers such as 'For children and young adults', 'Similarly', 'For instance', and 'Finally' to guide the reader effortlessly through the text. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately, with each group receiving a well-structured paragraph that contextualises the arguments. The progression of ideas is coherent overall, earning a solid Band 7.0 for its clear structuring and effective use of cohesive tools.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

The student demonstrates a sufficient range of vocabulary with good flexibility and precision, suitable for Band 7.0. Words and phrases like 'personal development', 'professional responsibilities', 'isolated', and 'sense of purpose' show an ability to use less common items with an awareness of style and collocation. There are also occasional attempts at idiomatic or precise phrasing such as 'maintain a healthy balance' and 'social interactions'. Spelling and word choice are accurate throughout, and although the vocabulary is not exceptionally rare or sophisticated enough to push into the Band 8 tier, it serves the task effectively and ensures seamless communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The writer uses a good variety of complex structures alongside simple sentences, maintaining strong control over grammar and punctuation. Examples of complex clauses include 'Activities such as playing a musical instrument... can improve...' and 'After leaving employment, some individuals may feel bored...'. The majority of sentences are error-free, and punctuation is handled correctly throughout the essay. The few minor lapses that might typically characterise a Band 7.0 are largely absent here, as control is tight and communication is never impeded. The grammatical range and accuracy comfortably satisfy the criteria for a Band 7.5 score.

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

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