Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-05

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 8.0)

It is often observed that people alter their habits and opinions as they grow older. I strongly agree with this view because ageing brings changes in priorities, responsibilities and life experiences, all of which can significantly influence an individual's behaviour and outlook.

One major reason why people's habits change with age is the increasing level of responsibility they acquire. During childhood and early adulthood, people generally have considerable freedom and tend to prioritise entertainment, socialising and personal interests. However, as they become older, responsibilities such as employment, marriage, parenthood and financial planning often require them to adopt a more disciplined lifestyle. For example, a young person may regularly eat fast food, stay up late and spend money impulsively, whereas the same individual may later develop healthier eating habits, maintain a regular sleep schedule and save money for a house or their children's education.

People's opinions can also evolve considerably because their understanding of the world is shaped by experience. As individuals encounter different cultures, professions and social situations, they may recognise that some of their earlier assumptions were inaccurate or overly simplistic. For instance, someone who once believed that success depended entirely on academic qualifications might change their perspective after entering the workplace and discovering that practical skills, communication and perseverance can be equally important. In this sense, maturity often encourages people to become more open-minded and less judgmental.

Admittedly, not everyone changes dramatically with age. Some individuals retain the same fundamental values and habits throughout their lives, particularly when these have been deeply influenced by family, culture or personal beliefs. Nevertheless, even such people are likely to modify certain aspects of their behaviour and opinions in response to changing circumstances.

In conclusion, I firmly believe that changing habits and opinions is a natural part of growing older. Although core values may remain relatively stable, increased responsibilities and accumulated life experiences inevitably reshape many aspects of how people live and think.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response fully addresses the prompt by clearly stating a position in the introduction and maintaining it throughout the essay. The ideas are well-developed, with distinct paragraphs focusing on responsibilities and life experiences as the primary drivers for change. Each point is supported by relevant, logical examples, such as the transition from impulsive spending to financial planning and the shift in perspective regarding academic success versus practical skills. The counter-argument in the fourth paragraph adds depth and nuance, demonstrating a sophisticated approach to the topic. The response is balanced, coherent, and directly answers the prompt.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The essay demonstrates a clear logical progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between paragraphs is smooth and natural. Cohesive devices such as 'However', 'For instance', 'In this sense', and 'Nevertheless' are used effectively to link ideas and signal shifts in the argument. The paragraphing is logical and contributes to the overall clarity of the response. There is no evidence of mechanical or repetitive use of cohesive devices; instead, the flow is natural and supports the reader's understanding of the writer's argument.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.0

The vocabulary is precise, natural, and well-suited to the task. The writer employs a wide range of topic-specific vocabulary, such as 'accumulated life experiences', 'overly simplistic', 'fundamental values', and 'inevitably reshape'. The use of collocations is accurate, and the language is sophisticated without being forced. There are no noticeable errors in word choice or spelling. The range of vocabulary allows for the expression of nuanced ideas, which is a hallmark of a high-scoring response.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The response exhibits a wide range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences with subordinate clauses and varied sentence beginnings. The control over grammar and punctuation is excellent, with the vast majority of sentences being error-free. The writer demonstrates a high level of accuracy in tense usage, subject-verb agreement, and the use of modal verbs. The writing is fluent and professional, showing a high degree of flexibility and control that is consistent with the highest band descriptors.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.