Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-18
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)
The vast majority of people believe that it is very common for individuals to alter their habits and their opinions as they get older. I partially agree with this view. This essay will discuss practical reasons behind this emerging trend and provide some relevant examples.
Undoubtedly, changing habits and opinions can have a positive impact on senior people because they can adopt healthier habits and make better choices. They may start exercising, eating healthier food, or sleeping earlier
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 4.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 4.0
The response is severely under-length, containing only 78 words compared to the required minimum of 250 words. As per the official IELTS descriptors, a response of this length cannot fully address all parts of the task or extend and support ideas adequately. Although the writer manages to introduce a partial position ('I partially agree with this view') and hints at reasons and examples such as exercising or eating healthier, these ideas are left extremely underdeveloped. Due to the significant shortfall in length and incomplete task development, this criterion must be rated at Band 4.0.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The text shows a basic attempt at paragraphing and structuring an essay introduction and a body paragraph. Sentences are generally linked logically, starting with introductory phrasing ('The vast majority of people believe') and transitioning into body points ('Undoubtedly, changing habits and opinions...'). However, the lack of a full essay structure, missing body paragraphs, and an abrupt ending severely limit the demonstration of cohesive devices and overall progression. Cohesion is faulty due to the incomplete nature of the writing, justifying a Band 5.0 for this criterion based on the limited control shown.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The student demonstrates an adequate vocabulary range for the few sentences produced, incorporating functional phrases such as 'emerging trend', 'positive impact', and 'senior people'. While there are no glaring spelling errors in the vocabulary attempted, the range is ultimately limited by the brief length of the response. The writer attempts some less common expressions like 'adopt healthier habits', but cannot sustain a wide lexical range. Therefore, a Band 5.0 is appropriate as the vocabulary is minimally adequate.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The student exhibits control over simple sentence structures and attempts complex forms, such as 'The vast majority of people believe that it is very common for individuals to alter...' and 'Undoubtedly, changing habits and opinions can have a positive impact...'. Grammatically, the sentences produced are mostly accurate with no major errors impeding comprehension. However, because the text is exceptionally short, the range of grammatical structures is restricted, preventing the display of a wide variety of complex sentences. This limits the score to a Band 5.0.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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