Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-12

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 7.5)

It is often observed that people modify their habits and opinions as they grow older. While some individuals remain relatively consistent throughout their lives, I largely agree that ageing tends to bring about significant changes in both behaviour and perspectives. This essay will discuss how life experiences influence personal habits and how maturity reshapes people's opinions.

One major reason why people's habits change with age is that their responsibilities and priorities evolve over time. Young adults, for instance, may have considerable freedom and therefore spend more time socialising, eating out or staying up late. However, once they enter full-time employment, get married or have children, they are often compelled to adopt a more structured lifestyle. Consequently, habits related to sleep, diet, exercise and spending gradually become more disciplined. In addition, increased awareness of health risks can motivate older people to abandon unhealthy practices. For example, an individual who regularly consumes fast food in their twenties may begin preparing nutritious meals and exercising regularly after experiencing health problems or becoming more conscious of long-term well-being.

Opinions can also undergo substantial transformation as people accumulate knowledge and experience. During adolescence, individuals are often influenced by their parents, teachers, friends and social media, and may consequently hold relatively rigid or idealistic views. As they encounter different cultures, workplaces and social situations, however, they tend to develop a more nuanced understanding of complex issues. For instance, a young person may initially believe that career success is determined primarily by academic qualifications, but after entering the workforce, they may recognise the importance of communication skills, professional relationships and perseverance. Such experiences broaden one's outlook and can encourage people to reconsider opinions that they previously regarded as unquestionable.

In conclusion, I strongly believe that both habits and opinions are likely to change as people grow older. The increasing responsibilities associated with different stages of life encourage behavioural changes, while accumulated experience and exposure to diverse perspectives often lead to more mature and flexible opinions.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the task by exploring both how habits and opinions change over time, maintaining a clear and well-developed position throughout. The introduction clearly sets out the writer's stance, and each body paragraph provides relevant ideas that are extended and supported with clear examples, such as the transition from the carefree habits of young adults to the structured routines of working professionals. The reasoning is sound, and the connection between life stages and changing perspectives is articulated effectively. The conclusion succinctly summarises the main points. The candidate covers all requirements of the prompt thoroughly, demonstrating strong analytical capability and fulfilling the Band 8 descriptor for Task Achievement by presenting well-developed ideas with only rare minor omissions.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically structured with a clear progression from introduction to body paragraphs and a final conclusion. Each paragraph has a distinct central topic, starting with the evolution of habits and moving on to the transformation of opinions. Cohesive devices are managed well and used naturally, such as 'For instance', 'However', 'Consequently', and 'In addition', which guide the reader smoothly through the arguments. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct ideas. Reference words like 'their', 'they', and 'such experiences' are handled accurately to maintain flow. The overall organisation is clear and logical, meeting the criteria for a Band 7 or 8. Because the cohesive devices are applied naturally without appearing mechanical, a solid Band 8 is awarded here.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

The candidate demonstrates a wide and flexible range of vocabulary suited to the topic. Less common lexical items are used effectively and with good awareness of collocation, such as 'compelled to adopt a more structured lifestyle', 'substantive transformation', and 'nuanced understanding'. Word choice is generally precise, with accurate spelling and appropriate phrasing throughout the text. Phrases like 'long-term well-being' and 'unquestionable' reflect a mature control of language. While there is occasional room for even more sophisticated idiomatic expressions, the lexical resource displayed easily satisfies the requirements for Band 7 and borders on Band 8 due to the natural fluency and breadth of the vocabulary.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The writing exhibits a wide range of complex structures used accurately and flexibly. The majority of sentences are error-free, and the candidate successfully employs conditional clauses, participial phrases, and subordinate clauses (e.g., 'once they enter full-time employment, get married or have children, they are often compelled...'). Punctuation is accurate, and control over tense and agreement is consistent. There are only very occasional minor errors or awkward phrasings, which do not impede communication. The complexity and accuracy of the syntax throughout the response firmly place this performance within the Band 8 category for Grammatical Range and Accuracy.

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