Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · 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 7.5)

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

One major reason why habits change is that people's responsibilities tend to increase as they become older. For instance, young people may stay up late, eat unhealthy food or spend a considerable amount of time socialising with friends. However, after entering the workforce or starting a family, they often have less free time and become more conscious of their health. As a result, they may develop healthier routines, such as exercising regularly, eating nutritious food and maintaining a consistent sleep schedule.

Another important factor is that people's opinions are often influenced by their experiences. As individuals encounter different situations, meet people from different backgrounds and gain more knowledge, they may reconsider views that they held when they were younger. For example, a person might initially believe that earning a high salary is the most important aspect of a career. After gaining several years of work experience, however, they may realise that job satisfaction, flexibility and a healthy work-life balance are equally important.

That said, some people retain the same core values throughout their lives. Their beliefs about family, honesty or personal responsibility may remain relatively stable even when their everyday habits and opinions change. Nevertheless, I believe that changes in lifestyle and accumulated experience make it quite common for people to modify both their habits and their views as they grow older.

In conclusion, I agree that people commonly change as they age. Changes in responsibilities can lead to different habits, while greater experience and knowledge can cause people to reconsider their opinions.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 8.0

The response fully addresses all parts of the task by taking a clear position and supporting it with logical reasons and relevant examples. The introduction clearly states agreement with the prompt. The first body paragraph effectively explains how increased responsibilities change habits, using concrete examples such as transitioning from late nights to maintaining a healthy sleep schedule. The second body paragraph examines how life experiences alter opinions, illustrated well by the shift in perspective regarding career goals from high salary to work-life balance. A balanced counter-perspective is also briefly introduced and addressed in the fourth paragraph, demonstrating a well-rounded and fully developed discussion that meets all the requirements of a Band 8 performance.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0

Ideas are logically sequenced and progress naturally throughout the essay. The response is divided into logical paragraphs, with a clear introduction, two distinct body paragraphs exploring separate aspects of the prompt (habits and opinions), a concession paragraph acknowledging alternative views, and a concise conclusion. Cohesive devices such as 'For instance', 'However', 'As a result', and 'In conclusion' are managed effectively and contribute to the overall flow without feeling mechanical. Referencing throughout the text is clear, ensuring that the reader can easily follow the progression of arguments from one paragraph to the next, fully satisfying the criteria for Band 7.

Lexical Resource: Band 7.0

The essay demonstrates a sufficient and appropriate range of vocabulary for the task. The writer uses less common lexical items with some awareness of style and collocation, such as 'considerable amount of time', 'consistent sleep schedule', 'accumulated experience', and 'core values'. Word choice is generally accurate and natural, allowing the message to be communicated with precision. Although it stops short of the sustained, flexible use of uncommon vocabulary characteristic of Band 8, the lexical resource displayed comfortably meets the Band 7 descriptors.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 8.0

The response features a good mix of complex and simple sentence forms, demonstrating strong control over grammar and punctuation. The writer successfully employs complex structures, such as conditional and subordinate clauses (e.g., 'One major reason why habits change is that people's responsibilities tend to increase...', 'As individuals encounter different situations...'). Punctuation is accurate, and the vast majority of sentences are error-free, with only occasional minor slips that never impede communication. This level of accuracy and variety places the writing firmly in the Band 8 category.

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