Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-27

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)

Having a hobby is often regarded as an important part of a balanced life. Although people of different ages have different responsibilities and interests, I strongly agree that children, young adults, working people and retirees should all have at least one hobby. In my view, hobbies provide benefits that go beyond simple entertainment, including personal development, emotional well-being and stronger social connections.

For children, hobbies can play an important role in developing skills and discovering their interests. Activities such as drawing, reading, playing a musical instrument or participating in sports can improve creativity, concentration and discipline. They can also teach children how to deal with failure and gradually improve through practice. For example, a child who learns to play football may not only become physically healthier but may also learn how to cooperate with teammates and follow rules.

Young adults and working people can benefit from hobbies in a different way. Their lives are often dominated by education, employment and financial responsibilities, which can leave little time for themselves. Having an enjoyable activity outside work or study can provide a healthy break from routine and reduce stress. For instance, someone who spends most of the day working at a computer might choose cycling, photography or gardening as a hobby. Such activities can help them maintain a healthier balance between professional responsibilities and personal life. Moreover, hobbies can sometimes develop into valuable skills or even create opportunities for additional income.

For retired people, hobbies can be particularly valuable because they provide structure and purpose after leaving the workforce. Retirement can result in a significant reduction in daily social interaction, so activities such as gardening, painting, travelling or joining a book club can help older people remain active and connected with others. For example, a retired teacher who joins a local reading group may continue sharing knowledge while developing new friendships.

However, I do not believe that everyone needs to spend a great deal of money or time on a hobby. The activity should simply be enjoyable and appropriate for the individual's circumstances. Even something as simple as reading for twenty minutes each evening can provide meaningful benefits.

In conclusion, I strongly believe that having at least one hobby is beneficial at every stage of life. While the purpose of a hobby may differ according to age, it can consistently provide enjoyment, personal growth, social interaction and a valuable break from everyday responsibilities.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt by thoroughly discussing why children, young adults, working people, and retirees should all have at least one hobby. The student takes a clear position in the introduction and maintains it consistently throughout the essay. Ideas are well-developed and supported with relevant examples, such as a child playing football or a retired teacher joining a reading group. The explanation of how hobbies benefit different age groups is logical and nuanced, acknowledging that the purpose of a hobby may vary according to age and life stage. The arguments are extended effectively without wandering off-topic, aligning well with the Band 8 descriptor for Task Achievement.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.5

The essay displays a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Each paragraph has a distinct focus, moving smoothly from children to young adults and working people, then to retirees, followed by a qualifying paragraph and a neat conclusion. Cohesive devices are used naturally and effectively, such as 'For children', 'Young adults and working people can benefit', 'For retired people', and 'However'. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct ideas and age groups. Referencing is clear and unambiguous. While cohesion is well managed, it occasionally relies on standard structural signposts rather than entirely fluid transitions, matching the Band 7 to Band 8 profile. Overall, it achieves a strong Band 7.5, rounded to 8.0 given the seamless logical flow.

Lexical Resource: Band 7.5

The student demonstrates a wide, fluent, and flexible range of vocabulary appropriate to the prompt. Expressions like 'personal development', 'emotional well-being', 'financial responsibilities', and 'significant reduction' show skilful control of collocations and topic-specific vocabulary. Less common items are used naturally, and there are virtually no word-choice errors or spelling mistakes that impede communication. The writer exhibits a good awareness of style, using varied phrasing to describe the different psychological and social impacts of hobbies across age groups. This performance fits comfortably within the Band 8 criteria for Lexical Resource.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 7.5

The essay features a wide range of sentence structures, successfully combining complex sentences ('Although people of different ages have different responsibilities and interests, I strongly agree...') with clear, accurate simple forms. The majority of sentences are error-free, and grammatical control is consistently strong throughout the 401-word text. Punctuation is accurate, and subordinate clauses are handled with ease. While there is a slight reliance on standard essay structures rather than experimental or highly intricate grammatical patterns, the precision and near-flawless execution of the grammar justify a high band score, earning a solid 8.0.

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