Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-07
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)
Habits and opinions takes time for people to change or vice-versa. Therefore, the older people are more mature as they have been through the time and today this essay will discuss about the pros and cons do people change both their habits and their opinions as they get older.
To set in, some people change their habits and opinions at an early stage and this paragraph talks about why they do though? One major reason is that the people who have been though hard times have pre-dominantly changed thier habits and behvioural activites which further had impacted on their and decision making and opinion thinking. To examplify, a person age 16 have just started working at any worksplace due to financial conditions. On the other hand, a person just commenced first job at age 20. If we look they both have a same goal to earn money but the latter person was bound to do so. Therefore, there will a lot a difference between their both habits and opinions regarding the world.
To approch it from another angle, there are people who tries there best but still could not achieve what they wanted to and by the time goes they had learned what the life was trying to teach them. This can be explained by the fact that somethings require time and patience with afforts both from a person to learn and by the time they get old they realize what was it all about. It was the patience that they have to build rather than pushing more afforts. Furthermore, this also brings the clearity to a person and decisiveness.
To put it in a nutshell, patience is the key to success and I think the one who achieved it weather by time when they get old or hardship. Lastly, the person will change their both habits and their opinions wisely.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The essay addresses the prompt by discussing why people change habits and opinions as they age. However, the response lacks a clear, consistent position. The introduction mentions discussing 'pros and cons', which is not relevant to the prompt, and the body paragraphs are somewhat disjointed. While the student provides examples, such as the comparison between a 16-year-old and a 20-year-old, the development of ideas is limited and at times confusing. The conclusion does not clearly restate a position but rather offers a general observation about patience. To improve, ensure the introduction clearly states your stance and that each body paragraph focuses on a specific, well-supported argument that directly relates to the prompt.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The essay is organized into paragraphs, but the logical progression is weak. The use of cohesive devices is often mechanical or inaccurate, such as 'To set in' and 'To approch it from another angle', which are not standard academic transitions. Referencing is occasionally unclear, making it difficult for the reader to follow the flow of ideas. For instance, the connection between the example of the 16-year-old and the broader argument about changing opinions is tenuous. Improving the use of linking words and ensuring that each sentence logically follows the previous one would significantly enhance the coherence of the essay.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary is limited and repetitive, often relying on basic terms. There are several spelling errors, such as 'thier', 'behvioural', 'afforts', 'clearity', and 'weather' (instead of 'whether'), which occasionally impede readability. The student attempts to use some more complex vocabulary, but word choice is often imprecise, such as 'opinion thinking' or 'impacted on their and decision making'. To reach a higher band, focus on using more precise vocabulary and ensuring correct spelling. Expanding your range of collocations and avoiding repetitive phrasing will also help improve your score in this criterion.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The essay contains frequent grammatical errors that affect the clarity of the message. There are issues with subject-verb agreement ('Habits and opinions takes time'), article usage, and sentence structure. Many sentences are awkward or incomplete, such as 'the person who achieved it weather by time when they get old or hardship'. While there is an attempt to use complex sentences, they are often faulty, leading to confusion. To improve, focus on mastering basic sentence structures, ensuring subject-verb agreement, and proofreading for common errors like incorrect verb forms and missing prepositions.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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