Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-03

IELTS Writing Task 2 question

It is very common for people to change both their habits and their opinions as they get older.

Do you agree or disagree?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Student answer (Band 5.0)

It is often argued that people tend to change both their habits and opinions as they grow older. I completely agree with this view since ageing often brings changes in lifestyles and perspectives, although fundamental values and beliefs may remain relatively stable.

One of the primary reasons why people's habits change with age is that their responsibilities and circumstances tend to evolve. Young people generally have flexible schedule and spend their time leisurely such as exploring new places, watching movies and socializing. However, as they enter the workforce, established families and take on greater financial responsibilities, their daily routines are

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 4.0

The response is significantly under the required word count of 250 words, reaching only 100 words. Because the essay is incomplete and stops mid-sentence, the task is only partially addressed. The position is clear in the introduction, and the initial ideas regarding lifestyle changes are relevant, but they are not developed or supported with sufficient detail. The failure to complete the essay prevents the development of a full argument, which is a significant limitation. To improve, you must ensure you complete the task by providing a full response that explores all parts of the prompt with sufficient depth and length.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The response shows a basic level of coherence in the introduction and the first paragraph. You use a clear opening statement and a transition word like 'However' to introduce a contrast. However, because the text is incomplete and cuts off abruptly, it is impossible to assess the overall progression or the effectiveness of paragraphing. The logical flow is interrupted by the premature end of the text. To improve, focus on planning your essay structure before writing to ensure you have enough time to complete all paragraphs and provide a concluding summary.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary used is generally appropriate for the topic, such as 'fundamental values', 'perspectives', and 'financial responsibilities'. You demonstrate a sufficient range to express your ideas clearly. However, there are some minor errors, such as 'established families' (which should be 'starting families' or 'raising families') and 'flexible schedule' (which should be 'flexible schedules'). Because the text is very short, the range of vocabulary is limited. To reach a higher band, try to incorporate more precise collocations and a wider variety of topic-specific vocabulary.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The grammar is generally accurate in the sentences provided. You use a mix of simple and complex structures, such as the conditional-like 'as they enter the workforce'. There are minor errors, such as 'spend their time leisurely such as exploring' (which lacks a preposition or better phrasing) and 'flexible schedule' (should be plural). While the control is decent, the limited length of the response restricts the ability to demonstrate a wide range of complex grammatical structures. Focus on ensuring subject-verb agreement and consistent pluralization to improve accuracy.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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