Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-30

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)

Although many families choose to run their businesses together because the upcoming generations can benefit from existing resources, proper guidance and an established customer base, I believe that family businesses have more disadvantages than advantages. In particular, giving important responsibilities to family members without considering their skills and experience can negatively affect the business.

Nowadays, many family-business owners involve their relatives because they believe that the next generation can continue the family's legacy and benefit from the resources that have already been established. However, this can become a disadvantage if family members are given important positions without having the necessary skills or experience. In some cases, relatives may make poor financial or managerial decisions simply because they are trusted members of the family rather than the most qualified candidates. For example, a young family member may be given control of a business despite having limited experience in managing employees or finances, which could eventually result in serious financial losses.

Another disadvantage is that poor management by the new generation can affect the relationship between the business and its customers. Customers often become loyal to a particular company because they trust its products, services and staff. If a family member takes over the business but fails to maintain the same quality or customer service, these loyal customers may gradually move to competitors. For instance, a restaurant that has been successful for many years could lose regular customers if its new management reduces food quality or provides poor service.

On the other hand, family businesses do have some advantages. Younger family members can receive guidance from experienced relatives and can use established resources, suppliers and customer networks instead of starting completely from scratch. This can make business expansion easier and faster.

In conclusion, although family businesses can benefit from existing resources, guidance and customer loyalty, I believe their disadvantages are greater. Poor management, unqualified family members and the potential loss of loyal customers can seriously affect the long-term success of a family business.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.0

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt by discussing both advantages and disadvantages, while maintaining a clear and well-supported position that disadvantages outweigh advantages. In the introduction, you outline the benefits, such as 'established resources, proper guidance and an established customer base', before focusing your main body paragraphs on the risks of poor management and unqualified relatives. Your ideas are extended with relevant examples, such as a restaurant losing customers due to reduced food quality. The arguments are logical, well-developed, and sustain a coherent stance throughout the entire essay, meeting the criteria for a strong band score.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0

The essay displays a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Each paragraph has a distinct central topic, moving smoothly from the introduction to disadvantages in paragraphs two and three, acknowledging advantages in paragraph four, and concluding effectively. You use cohesive devices appropriately and flexibly, such as 'Although many families', 'Nowadays', 'However', 'Another disadvantage is that', and 'On the other hand'. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately to structure the flow of arguments, ensuring the reader can easily follow your line of reasoning from start to finish.

Lexical Resource: Band 7.0

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary for flexibility and precision, successfully using less common lexical items and collocations appropriate to the topic, such as 'legacy', 'managerial decisions', 'financial losses', 'competitors', and 'long-term success'. Your word choice is generally natural and accurate, allowing the message to be communicated clearly. While there are no major lexical errors, the vocabulary is slightly standard rather than exceptionally sophisticated in places, which places this response comfortably at band 7.0.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 7.5

The writing exhibits a good variety of complex sentence structures, featuring subordinate clauses, participial phrases, and conditional ideas, as seen in 'Although many families choose to run their businesses together because...' and 'If a family member takes over the business...'. There is a high frequency of error-free sentences, and your control of grammar and punctuation is strong throughout. Minor slips are absent, and complex structures are handled with accurate control, demonstrating a solid command of grammar that aligns well with a band 7.5 descriptor.

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