Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

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

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)

It is common in many countries for families to run their own businesses. I believe that this trend has some disadvantages. However, the advantages of this trend outweigh the drawbacks.

To begin with, families who own their businesses, often have a strong relationship with one another because they have know them for a long period of time. As a result they tend to have more trust between them. This, trust can help the business to operate more efficiently while avoiding any conflicts among family. Moreover, family member can communicate more efficiently because they often each other's thoughts and opinions. This can help to solve the problems more easily. For instance, restaurants who runs by the family, For instance, family-run restaurants, parents and children shares different task and responsibility such as managing finance, handling cashier, food preparation and serving customers, as family members tend to know their own strength and weaknesses. As a result restaurant can operate more smoothly and problems can be resolved quickly.

However, there are some drawbacks when families runs their own business. One major disadvantage that personal conflicts between relatives can have a significant impact on the business. As a result, this creates a tension between family members, This tension, can further affect the business and may eventually breakdown the partnership. For instance, a major conflict between family members can arise over financial decisions or the division of ownership. When relatives cannot reach an agreement, they may find it difficult to make important business decisions. This can affect the daily operations of the business, as decisions about employees, supplies and finances may be delayed. If such conflicts continue for a long period, the business may suffer financially and lose customers. In severe cases, family members may decide to end their partnership, which could eventually lead to the permanent closure of the restaurant.

In conclusion, although running a family business can sometimes lead to personal conflicts, the advantages of working with relatives can outweigh the disadvantages. However, family members should keep personal disagreements aside and maintain a professional relationship in order to ensure the smooth operation and growth of the business.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The student addresses all parts of the task, presenting a clear position throughout that family businesses have more advantages than disadvantages. The ideas are relevant and generally well-developed. In the second body paragraph, the candidate supports the benefits of family businesses by providing a practical example of a family-run restaurant where tasks are divided effectively according to strengths. Similarly, the third body paragraph explores potential drawbacks, such as personal conflicts impacting financial decisions and daily operations, culminating in a logical discussion on the risk of partnership breakdown. Although some explanations contain slight redundancies, the overall position is sustained and well-supported, aligning closely with Band 7 descriptors.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The response exhibits a clear overall logical organization with a recognizable introduction, two body paragraphs exploring both sides, and a conclusion. Cohesive devices are employed reasonably well, with transition markers like 'To begin with', 'However', 'As a result', and 'In conclusion' guiding the reader through the argumentation. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately, separating the advantages and disadvantages into distinct sections. However, referencing and cohesive flow are occasionally slightly faulty, such as the clunky repetition and self-correction in 'restaurants who runs by the family, For instance, family-run restaurants', and minor punctuation errors involving comma splices ('As a result they tend', 'This, trust can'). These minor issues keep the score at a solid Band 6.5.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The student uses an adequate range of vocabulary appropriate for the task, successfully attempting less common items and collocations such as 'operate more efficiently', 'division of ownership', 'daily operations', and 'permanent closure'. Meaning is conveyed clearly despite some word choice errors and awkward phrasings, such as writing 'because they have know them' instead of known, and 'handling cashier' instead of managing the cash register. Spelling is generally accurate, and vocabulary errors do not impede communication. The lexical control reflects Band 6 characteristics.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The candidate demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, utilizing relative clauses and conditional structures (e.g., 'If such conflicts continue for a long period, the business may suffer financially'). There are, however, several recurring grammatical and punctuation errors that prevent a higher score. Examples include tense and verb form inaccuracies ('because they have know them', 'family member can', 'families runs', 'parents and children shares'), alongside intrusive comma placement ('This, trust can', 'This tension, can further affect'). Despite these errors, communication is rarely impeded, and many sentences remain accurate. This performance fits comfortably within the Band 6 descriptor.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.