Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-10-17

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 6.0)

It is widely argued that the family businesses are often run by the family members in most parts of the world rather than allowing outsiders to join. This has its own benefits and demerits. Also, in my opinion the advantages donot outweigh the disadvantages because it depends on the type of work and importantly the people who are working.

To begin with, a business that is being run by a family gives an indvidual a good amount of room for trial and error. For instance, if a family has a pickle making business, they can experiment various ingredients and tastes. Some of it can be sour while other can be sweet. Initially, they can launch it for a short period of time and monitor the response and then decide wether to continue the production or not. Thus, they can be sure about the product before starting the mass production of it.

Another merit is it creates ample of job opportunities for the family members. Having a family business makes it easier for family members to get the job because it is easier to trust a known person instead of relying on a stranger.

Although family business has it's own benefits there are several drawbacks as well. First and foremost is the family disputes. It is the most common disadvantage of runnig a family business as disputes can occur between the family members about various things such as profit sharing or ownership of the business. Secondly, it also reduces the recruitment of unknown candidates who might have better knowledge and experience about how to expand the business.

To conclude, having a famliy business has its own advantages but in my opinion it doesnot outweigh the drawbacks as discussed.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

Your position is clear: you argue that the disadvantages of family businesses outweigh their benefits, and you address both sides with relevant points. The pickle-making example gives useful detail about testing products before mass production, while family disputes and missed opportunities to recruit experienced outsiders support your view. However, the second advantage—that relatives can obtain jobs more easily—is asserted rather than explored, and the conclusion mainly repeats your position instead of drawing the reasons together. The opening also says the outcome depends on the work and the people involved, but this qualification is not developed later. Develop each main point more evenly and explain more explicitly why the drawbacks carry greater weight overall.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response has a clear overall arrangement: an introduction, two paragraphs presenting advantages and disadvantages, and a conclusion. Sequencing phrases such as “To begin with,” “Another merit,” and “First and foremost” help readers follow the argument, and the example is placed where it supports the relevant point. This meets the lower-band expectation of coherent organisation and shows some of the flexibility associated with stronger cohesion. However, the progression within the argument is somewhat list-like, and the advantages paragraph moves quickly from product testing to employment without explaining their relationship. The conclusion also repeats rather than synthesises. Use clearer links between claims and their consequences, and vary transitions so the structure feels less formulaic.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use an adequate range for the topic, including relevant terms such as “trial and error,” “profit sharing,” “ownership,” and “mass production.” These choices make the main ideas understandable, and the response attempts some more specific business vocabulary. However, several word-choice and collocation problems reduce precision: “ample of job opportunities” is unnatural, “experiment various ingredients” needs a more suitable verb pattern, and “reduces the recruitment of unknown candidates” is unclear. Spelling errors such as “indvidual,” “wether,” and “runnig” are also noticeable. Aim for more natural collocations and check spelling carefully; precise phrasing will make your reasoning sound more controlled and convincing.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, including conditional and time clauses in the pickle-making example: “if a family has…” and “then decide whether to continue…”. Most sentences communicate their meaning, and the argument remains easy to follow despite some errors. There are, however, recurring issues with articles, agreement, and sentence construction. For example, “the family businesses” is not appropriate as a general reference, “other can be sweet” has an agreement problem, and “Although family business has it's own benefits” needs a more accurate noun phrase and possessive form. The opening sentence is also awkwardly constructed. Review articles, singular/plural agreement, and possessives, then proofread complex sentences for accuracy.

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