Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-21
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 7.0)
In many countries, it is common for family members to run a business together. Although this model can cause some personal disagreements, I believe that family businesses have more advantages than disadvantages.
On the one hand, working with family members can bring a few problems. The main disadvantage is that personal conflicts can affect the business. For example, if two brothers have an argument at home, they might bring that bad mood to work, which makes it difficult to make professional decisions. Another issue is about hiring people. Sometimes, business owners give important jobs to their children or relatives even if they do not have good skills. This can make other normal staff feel unfair, and they may decide to leave the company.
On the other hand, running a family business offers many great benefits. Firstly, trust is the most important factor. Family members usually trust each other more than external employees, so they can handle money and important plans with less worry. Secondly, relatives are often more loyal and willing to work harder during difficult times. For instance, when my family operated a private school and I worked in our warehouse, everyone was ready to stay late without asking for extra payment to keep the business running smoothly. This kind of strong support helps a family business survive longer in a tough market.
In conclusion, while family businesses can face emotional conflicts and unfair promotion, I think the advantages are stronger. The high level of trust and long-term dedication make family businesses a successful model.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.0 |
| Overall | 7.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0
The student presents a clear position throughout the response and addresses all parts of the task by discussing both the advantages and disadvantages of family businesses. The ideas are relevant and supported by logical explanations and examples, such as the mention of trust and the personal anecdote regarding a family-run private school. The arguments are adequately extended and meet the requirements of the prompt effectively. Although some points could be explored in even greater depth, the response fully satisfies the expectations for a well-rounded essay at this level, demonstrating a clear understanding of the prompt requirements without any extraneous material or omissions.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5
The essay displays a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Each paragraph has a distinct central topic, introduced with appropriate cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand' and 'On the other hand'. The paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately, separating the introduction, the disadvantages, the advantages, and the conclusion cleanly. Cohesive devices within paragraphs, including sequencing words like 'Firstly' and 'Secondly', are used effectively to guide the reader through the arguments. Referencing is clear and unambiguous, contributing to an overall coherent piece of writing that is very easy to follow.
Lexical Resource — Band 6.5
The student uses a sufficient range of vocabulary for the task with adequate flexibility and precision. Phrases such as 'professional decisions', 'external employees', 'tough market', and 'long-term dedication' demonstrate a good control of common and less common lexical items appropriate to the business context. While there are some minor formulaic expressions ('normal staff' instead of 'regular staff'), the vocabulary allows the writer to convey their ideas clearly and naturally. Spelling and word formation are accurate throughout the essay, with no errors that impede communication.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0
The response exhibits a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures, including conditional and subordinate clauses (e.g., 'Although this model can cause some personal disagreements, I believe that...'). There are frequent error-free sentences, and the control of grammar and punctuation is generally strong. Minor slips occur, such as the awkward prepositional phrasing in 'Another issue is about hiring people', but these do not impede communication. Overall, the grammatical control is solid and supports the clear communication of ideas.
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