Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-17

IELTS Writing Task 2 question

Write about the following topic:

In many countries, family members work together in their family business.

Do you think family businesses have more advantages than disadvantages?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Student answer (Band 6.5)

In the modern era, running a family business with parents or siblings has become increasingly common. This can develop mutual understanding, cooperation and effective strategies for growing the business. However, this trend offers numerous benefits while also presenting certain drawbacks.

One primary advantage is that family members can run their business on their own, which reduces the need to hire additional employees. Thus, they can save money and contribute to the growth of the business. Moreover, family members can share different strategies for expanding their business. For instance, if family members run a business together, they can support each other in making decisions, which can reduce the risk of financial loss.

Despite these benefits, there are some notable disadvantages. One major drawback is that disputes can occur between family members while running a business, which may eventually result in separation. For example, family members may have different ideas or opinions about how the business should be managed. If one person’s ideas are considered inappropriate by another family member, this can create conflicts between them. As a result, such disagreements may affect both their relationships and the business.

In conclusion, although working together in a family business has several advantages, its drawbacks cannot be neglected. Therefore, family members should carefully consider both the benefits and disadvantages before deciding to run a business together

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response addresses the prompt by discussing both the advantages and disadvantages of family businesses, presenting a clear overall position. Ideas such as reducing employee costs and the potential for interpersonal disputes are introduced and briefly supported with examples like differing management opinions. However, the development remains somewhat general and lacks depth or specific real-world illustrations. Furthermore, the response suffers from a length penalty, as it contains only 222 words, falling short of the required 250-word minimum. Because the ideas are not fully extended and the word count requirement is unfulfilled, the task response is constrained to a Band 6.0.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The text is coherent with a clear overall arrangement and logical progression. It is divided into four distinct paragraphs, including an introduction, two body paragraphs covering advantages and disadvantages respectively, and a conclusion. Cohesive devices such as 'One primary advantage', 'Moreover', 'Despite these benefits', and 'In conclusion' are used effectively to guide the reader through the argument, even though referencing and transitions can occasionally feel slightly formulaic. Paragraphing is used appropriately throughout the essay, demonstrating a clear structure that supports the overall argument. This performance aligns comfortably with the descriptors for a Band 7.0.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, successfully using terms such as 'mutual understanding', 'cooperation', 'financial loss', and 'disputes'. There are appropriate attempts at less common vocabulary, such as 'increasingly common', 'notable disadvantages', and 'carefully consider'. While word choice and spelling are generally accurate and communication is never impeded, the vocabulary is somewhat standard and lacks the precision, flexibility, or stylistic awareness characteristic of higher bands. Occasional repetition of phrases like 'family members' also limits the lexical score. Therefore, a Band 6.0 is an accurate reflection of this performance.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The essay displays a good mix of simple and complex sentence forms. The writer successfully employs subordinate clauses and conditional structures, such as 'if family members run a business together, they can support each other' and 'if one person’s ideas are considered inappropriate... this can create conflicts'. Grammatical control is generally strong, with many error-free sentences, and punctuation is handled correctly. While the range of complex structures is somewhat limited compared to higher bands, the occasional errors do not impede communication. The control exhibited here fits well within the criteria for a Band 7.0.

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