Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-07-31

IELTS Writing Task 2 question

Some people say that music is a good way of bringing people of different cultures and ages together. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Student answer (Band 8.0)

It is widely believed that music has the power to unite people regardless of their cultural background or age. I completely agree with this opinion because music is a universal language that can break down barriers and create shared experiences between different groups of people.

The main reason music brings cultures together is that it does not require words to be understood. A melody, rhythm, or beat can make people feel the same emotion even if they speak different languages. For example, K-pop bands like BTS and Blackpink have millions of fans in India, the US, and Latin America, even though most fans do not speak Korean. Similarly, festivals such as Tomorrowland in Belgium attract young people from over 200 countries who dance to the same music. In this way, music creates a common ground where cultural differences become less important.

Music also connects people of different age groups. Unlike fashion or technology, many songs are enjoyed across generations. In my own family, for instance, my grandparents, parents, and I all enjoy listening to classic Bollywood songs from the 1970s and 1990s. We often sing them together during festivals and family gatherings. This creates a bond between us. Moreover, events like college fests and weddings play a mix of old and new songs so that both 18-year-olds and 60-year-olds can enjoy and dance together.

Some people argue that modern music often divides people because each age group has its own taste, such as rap for teenagers and classical for older people. However, I believe this is only a small part of the picture. Even when people prefer different genres, they can still appreciate music as an art form and use it as a topic to talk and learn about each other’s culture.

In conclusion, I strongly agree that music is an effective way of bringing people of different cultures and ages together. It acts as a universal language, creates shared memories, and helps people connect beyond language and age barriers.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You clearly state your position in the introduction and maintain it throughout the essay. Each paragraph is well-developed with relevant examples, such as the mention of K-pop and Tomorrowland to support the cultural argument, and the personal anecdote regarding Bollywood music to support the intergenerational argument. The ideas are extended logically, and the counter-argument in the fourth paragraph is handled effectively by acknowledging it before refuting it, which demonstrates a sophisticated approach to the task. The response is well-structured and directly answers the 'to what extent' question.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between paragraphs is smooth. You use a variety of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'Similarly', 'Moreover', and 'However', which help guide the reader through your argument. The referencing is clear, and the paragraphing is appropriate for an academic essay. The flow of information is natural, and the relationship between ideas is always explicit, making the text very easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary that is appropriate for the task. Phrases like 'break down barriers', 'shared experiences', 'common ground', and 'universal language' are used accurately and naturally. While the vocabulary is generally precise, there is room to incorporate more sophisticated or 'less common' lexical items to reach the highest band. The word choice is consistently accurate, and there are no spelling errors that impede communication. The language used is well-suited to the formal tone required for an academic essay.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The essay displays a good variety of complex sentence structures, such as the use of conditional and concessive clauses (e.g., 'even if they speak different languages', 'Even when people prefer different genres'). The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation is excellent. There are no significant grammatical errors that cause confusion. To move to a higher band, you could experiment with more varied sentence beginnings or more advanced grammatical structures, such as inversion or passive voice, where appropriate, to further demonstrate your range.

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