Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · 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 6.5)

In the contemporary world, working in a family business is increasingly common. Although family businesses have many disadvantages, in my opinion, I believe that they have more positives because family members have a trust each other and they have the same goal to work toward.

To begin with, one major advantage is trust between family members. They usually know each other's strengths, weaknesses, and potential toward the goal, which can make communication easier. Family members usually work really hard for their business growth because they want to improve their family's financial situation. For example, in a small family restaurant business, people divide their work in the restaurant, such as cooking, cleaning, serving, and managing payments.

The second major benefit is that people support their family members in difficult times. They may work for free or low wages because of financial problems in the business. In addition, knowledge can be passed from one generation to another. That is how they want to run the business for future generations.

However, there is also a dark side to family businesses. To start with, personal arguments or decisions can affect the whole family. For instance, two family members have different ideas about expanding the business and spending money. In some cases, a person is selected because of their family background, not their skills.

Taking everything into consideration, there are some disadvantages also in running a family business with their deers. However, it can be avoided by understanding each other's decisions or respecting each other's opinions. I believe working in a family business is most important for the family's finances and their relationship.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.0

The student addresses all parts of the task by discussing both the advantages and disadvantages of family businesses, ultimately presenting a clear position that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. Ideas are extended and supported with relevant examples, such as a small family restaurant and generational knowledge transfer. Although some arguments could be explored in greater depth, the response meets the criteria for Band 7 by maintaining a clear position throughout and developing relevant main points. The reasoning is sound, and the prompt's requirements are fully satisfied.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The essay displays a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Each paragraph has a distinct central topic, starting with an introduction, followed by advantages in paragraphs two and three, disadvantages in paragraph four, and a balanced conclusion. Cohesive devices are used reasonably well, such as To begin with, The second major benefit, However, and Taking everything into consideration. Paragraphing is used appropriately. However, referencing is occasionally slightly loose, such as the pronoun use in 'with their deers' (likely a typo for dears/nearest), preventing it from reaching a higher band. Overall, the flow is coherent and easy to follow.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, successfully attempting less common items such as contemporary world, financial situation, generational, and expanding the business. There are some noticeable word choice and collocation slips, most notably the awkward phrase 'family members have a trust each other' and 'with their deers' in the conclusion. However, these lexical errors do not impede communication, and the intended meaning remains clear throughout. Spelling is generally accurate, placing the writing firmly at Band 6.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

The writer uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, including conditional and relative clauses like 'They usually know each other's strengths... which can make communication easier.' There are several grammatical errors present, such as 'have a trust each other' (unnecessary article and missing preposition) and 'two family members have different ideas' (tense consistency issues in examples). Despite these errors in grammar and punctuation, the sentences are generally understandable and communication is rarely impeded. This corresponds to the Band 6 descriptor.

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