Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-26
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 6.5)
It is often argued that people change their habits and opinions as they grow older. I agree with this view because people usually gain more experience and take on new responsibilities throughout their lives.
Firstly, people's habits often change because their priorities are different at different stages of life. For example, young people may spend a great deal of time socialising, playing games or staying up late. However, when they start working or raising a family, they may need to develop healthier routines and manage their time more carefully. They may also become more concerned about saving money, exercising regularly and maintaining a balanced lifestyle.
Secondly, people's opinions can change as they gain knowledge and experience. A person may have a particular opinion about education, relationships or work when they are young, but their views may become different after experiencing these things themselves. For instance, someone who once believed that earning a high salary was the most important aspect of a job might later realise that job satisfaction, work-life balance and a friendly working environment are equally important.
In conclusion, I agree that people commonly change both their habits and opinions as they get older. Although some basic values may remain unchanged, greater responsibilities and life experiences often lead people to develop different lifestyles and perspectives.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.0 |
| Overall | 6.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0
The response addresses the prompt directly, presenting a clear position that people do change their habits and opinions as they age, supported by relevant examples such as shifting priorities from socialising to career or family. However, the response falls short of the word count requirement, containing only 216 words against the 250-word minimum specified in the instructions. Because of this under-length penalty, the task is only partially fulfilled in terms of expected development depth, anchoring the score at Band 5.0.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0
The essay presents a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Ideas are structured well with distinct introductory, body, and concluding paragraphs. Cohesive devices are used effectively to guide the reader through the arguments, such as 'Firstly' and 'Secondly', ensuring smooth transitions between points. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately, with each body paragraph focusing on a distinct aspect of the prompt (habits versus opinions). Referencing and substitution are clear and maintain good flow, reflecting a standard typical of Band 7.
Lexical Resource: Band 6.0
The student demonstrates a sufficient range of vocabulary for the task, allowing for clear communication and some precision. Phrases such as 'maintain a balanced lifestyle', 'job satisfaction', and 'work-life balance' show a good grasp of collocation and topic-specific le词. There are occasional attempts at less common items, and word choices are generally natural and appropriate. While there is no major overuse of errors, the vocabulary remains fairly standard rather than truly wide or flexible, matching the Band 6 descriptor well.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 7.0
The essay features a good mix of simple and complex sentence forms, demonstrating control over grammatical structures. The student successfully incorporates complex clauses, such as 'when they start working or raising a family' and 'someone who once believed that earning a high salary was the most important aspect of a job'. Grammar and punctuation are handled with general accuracy, and any minor errors do not impede communication. The control shown throughout warrants a solid Band 7 score.
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.