Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-16

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 6.0)

It is often argued that people naturally change their habits and opinions as they grow older. I agree with this view because people's lifestyles and priorities tend to change with age, while their experiences also influence the way they think.

One important reason why people change their habits is that their responsibilities usually increase as they become older. For example, young people may spend a considerable amount of time socialising with friends, staying up late and eating unhealthy food. However, after starting a career or having a family, they may begin to follow a healthier routine, sleep earlier and spend more time on their responsibilities. Therefore, changes in lifestyle and responsibilities can have a significant effect on people's daily habits.

People's opinions can also change as they gain more experience. When individuals are young, their views are often influenced by their family, teachers and friends. As they grow older, however, they encounter different people and situations, which can encourage them to reconsider their previous beliefs. For instance, a person who once believed that working long hours was the key to success might later realise that maintaining a balance between work and personal life is equally important. This shows that personal experience can gradually influence people's opinions.

In conclusion, I agree that people commonly change both their habits and opinions as they get older. Changes in responsibilities can affect their lifestyles, while new experiences can cause them to reconsider their views and beliefs.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The student presents a clear position throughout the response and addresses all parts of the prompt by discussing how both habits and opinions change over time. Ideas are supported with relevant examples, such as the transition from young social habits to more responsible adult routines, and the evolution of views on work-life balance. However, the response contains 242 words, failing to meet the minimum requirement of 250 words. This negative constraint violation places a ceiling on Task Achievement. While the quality of ideas and development would otherwise merit a higher score, the under-length penalty restricts the band score here.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The response is logically organised with a clear introduction, two distinct body paragraphs focusing separately on habits and opinions, and a concluding summary. Progression is smooth, guided by suitable cohesive devices such as 'One important reason', 'However', and 'For instance'. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately, with each paragraph having a clear central topic. Referencing and substitution are handled well throughout, ensuring that the relationships between ideas remain transparent and easy for the reader to follow. Cohesion is managed effectively, supporting a clear overall structure.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The student demonstrates an adequate and generally precise range of vocabulary for the task. Words and phrases such as 'responsibilities', 'priorities', 'encounter different people', and 'maintain a balance' show good control and are used appropriately in context. There are also successful attempts at less common lexical items, such as 'considerable amount of time' and 'significant effect'. Spelling and word choice are accurate, and communication is never impeded. Although the range is not exceptionally wide or sophisticated, it fully serves the purpose of clear communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The writer employs a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures, featuring subordinate clauses and conditional elements (e.g., 'When individuals are young, their views are often influenced by...'). There is a high frequency of error-free sentences, demonstrating good control over grammar and punctuation. While complex structures are generally handled accurately, the overall grammatical range is somewhat standard rather than truly wide. Nevertheless, minor errors are absent, and the structural variety comfortably meets the criteria for this band.

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