Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-04
IELTS Writing Task 2 question
Nowadays it's possible for people to buy many products or pay for treatments that help them to look younger.
Is this a good thing or a bad thing?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Student answer (Band 6.5)
Nowadays, people have access to a wide range of products and treatments that can help them look younger. Although some people believe this is a positive development, I think it can have both advantages and disadvantages.
On the one hand, looking younger can make people feel more confident and satisfied with their appearance. For example, skincare products, healthy diets and some non-invasive treatments can improve a person's skin and make them feel better about themselves. This can be particularly helpful for people who have lost confidence because of acne, scars or other skin problems. In addition, the beauty industry provides employment for many people, including doctors, therapists and cosmetic professionals.
On the other hand, there are several negative aspects. Firstly, some treatments can be very expensive, meaning that people may spend large amounts of money trying to maintain a youthful appearance. Secondly, certain cosmetic procedures can have serious side effects if they are performed incorrectly. More importantly, the constant pressure to look young may cause people to become unhappy with their natural appearance. Social media often makes this problem worse because celebrities and influencers frequently present unrealistic standards of beauty.
In my opinion, these products and treatments are not necessarily a bad thing if they are used safely and for the right reasons. However, people should accept that ageing is a natural part of life and should not feel pressured to look young forever. Overall, maintaining good health and self-confidence is more important than simply trying to appear younger.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.0 |
| Overall | 6.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0
The response addresses all parts of the prompt, providing a balanced view of both the advantages and disadvantages of anti-ageing treatments. The position is clear throughout, and the ideas are relevant. However, the response is 249 words long, falling just short of the 250-word minimum requirement. This minor omission in length, combined with a slight lack of depth in the development of the 'advantages' paragraph, prevents a higher score. To improve, ensure that you fully expand on your examples to meet the word count and provide more nuanced analysis of the societal implications.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0
The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, two body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the advantages and disadvantages. Cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand', 'In addition', and 'More importantly' are used effectively to guide the reader through the argument. The progression of ideas is smooth, and the relationship between sentences is clear. The structure is coherent and easy to follow, meeting the criteria for a solid band 7 performance.
Lexical Resource — Band 6.5
The vocabulary is sufficient for the task and allows for some flexibility. You use appropriate topic-specific terms such as 'non-invasive treatments', 'cosmetic procedures', and 'unrealistic standards of beauty'. While the range is adequate, it does not consistently demonstrate the 'less common' lexical items or sophisticated collocations required for a higher band. The word choice is generally accurate and natural, though there is room to incorporate more precise academic vocabulary to elevate the tone of the essay.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0
The essay demonstrates a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. You use subordinating conjunctions like 'although' and 'because' effectively. The grammar is generally accurate, with very few errors that impede communication. Most sentences are error-free, and punctuation is handled well. To reach a higher band, you could aim for a wider variety of complex structures, such as conditional sentences or passive voice constructions, to demonstrate greater grammatical flexibility.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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