Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-29

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 7.0)

In the contemporary world, having a hobby is essential for people of all ages. In my opinion, having hobbies is beneficial because they help people relax, improve their skills, and maintain a healthy balance between work and personal life.

To begin with, hobbies can reduce stress and improve people's mental well-being. Children often spend many hours in studying, and adults at work have to deal with pressure and difficult situations. However, retired people also feel bored after leaving their jobs. Having enjoyable activities, such as reading, gardening, and watching movies, can help people feel relaxed and spend their free time positively. For example, people who like to do gardening may feel relaxed or stress-free by doing that activity.

Additionally, hobbies can help people to develop useful skills and social connections with others. Children can learn about teamwork by playing team sports, and working professionals can improve their creativity by cooking or photography. Even though retired people can also get the opportunity to meet new people by joining a walking or yoga club.

In my opinion, having hobbies has long-term benefits. However, many people claim that spending too much time on hobbies has negative impacts on their work cycle because people have limited time. But I believe that spending a small amount of time on doing something we like has more positive. A person does not need to spend their whole day doing their hobbies; spending ten minutes is also worth it.

Taking everything into consideration, people have different opinions about this. But according to me, having at least one hobby for children, working people, and retired people is necessary as a stress buster from their hectic lives. Hobbies help people to relax, gain skills, and help people to enjoy a balanced life.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.0

The response addresses all parts of the task by discussing the importance of hobbies for children, working people, and retired individuals, and clearly states an opinion throughout the essay. The position is well-maintained, and relevant ideas are presented and supported with examples, such as reading, gardening, cooking, and photography. The ideas are extended adequately across different age groups, acknowledging potential counter-arguments, such as time constraints, and providing a valid rebuttal. While some arguments could be explored in slightly greater depth, the response fully satisfies the requirements of Band 7 by addressing all parts of the prompt with a clear, developed position.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0

The essay displays clear logical organisation and a logical progression throughout. Each paragraph has a distinct focus, moving smoothly from an introduction to body paragraphs discussing different benefits and counter-arguments, and finishing with a cohesive conclusion. Cohesive devices are used effectively to connect ideas, such as 'To begin with', 'Additionally', and 'Taking everything into consideration'. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately. Referencing is generally clear, ensuring that the reader can easily follow the flow of arguments. The structural layout and transitions align well with the expectations for a Band 7 score.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.5

The student uses a sufficient range of vocabulary that allows for flexibility and precision, such as 'contemporary world', 'mental well-being', 'hectic lives', and 'stress buster'. There is an attempt to use less common lexical items, and awareness of collocation is generally sound. While there are a few minor lexical inaccuracies or awkward phrasings—such as 'spend many hours in studying' instead of 'studying', and 'work cycle' instead of 'work schedule'—these do not impede communication. The vocabulary is adequate for expressing ideas clearly and achieves a solid Band 6.5 to 7.0 level.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.5

The writer demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, incorporating subordinating clauses effectively (e.g., 'Even though retired people can also get the opportunity...'). There are frequent error-free sentences, alongside some minor grammatical errors and awkward phrasing, such as 'has more positive' instead of 'has more positive impacts' and 'according to me' instead of 'in my opinion'. Punctuation and basic grammar are well controlled, and errors are infrequent enough that they rarely impede communication. This performance fits comfortably within the Band 6.5 to 7.0 range.

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