Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-08-15

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 5.5)

When connecting people from diverse cultures through music, people have different opinions on it, some agree while other might oppose it. This essay will discuss both aspects before presenting my own opinion, which is music plays a vital role to build connections among diverse culture.

Almost all the cultures in the world have their own tradition music which could be unique but they express the same emotions. Music is widely used to express feelings which we usually can't show through words. For example, if two people from different parts of the world want to express themselves, they might share a music which could have the same vibe and it would be easier for both of them to feel what the other person is feeling. Let's take another example in which a child want to express his love for his parents. It is difficult for a child to show love for his parents because of shyness. In this kind of situation, he could play a music which has the lyrics and vibe akin to his own.

Some people do not accept this concept and they are right according to their own point of view. Listening to music is common today. People listen to a song just to relax themselves instead of expressing and connecting with others. For instance, young people use music in their social media posts just to create a sensation rather than trying to connect. Other than its use in posts, people listen to music just to praise artist's voice or its lyrics.

From my perspective, music bring people closer together. When people listens to any kind of music for whatever the reason they have, it builds their connection to the artist as well as the language in which music is composed.

In conclusion, usage of music varies depending upon the intentions of people. Whatever the reason people have, music brings people of different cultures and ages together.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The essay addresses the prompt and maintains a clear position throughout. However, the development of ideas is somewhat uneven. The argument regarding music as a universal language is supported by examples, but the counter-argument is less effectively linked to the core theme of 'bringing people together.' The explanation of why some people might disagree is slightly superficial, focusing on social media trends rather than deeper cultural or generational barriers. To reach a higher band, you should ensure that both sides of the argument are explored with equal depth and that your examples directly illustrate the 'bringing together' aspect more robustly.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate different viewpoints. However, the use of cohesive devices is sometimes mechanical or repetitive. For instance, the transition between the second and third paragraphs could be smoother. While the progression of ideas is generally easy to follow, there are instances where referencing is slightly unclear, such as the transition into the example about the child expressing love, which feels a bit abrupt. Improving the variety of linking words would enhance the flow.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is adequate for the task, allowing you to express your ideas clearly. You use some relevant terms like 'diverse cultures,' 'tradition music' (though this should be 'traditional'), and 'vibe.' However, the range is somewhat limited, and there are occasional inaccuracies in word choice and collocation, such as 'share a music' (should be 'share a piece of music') and 'create a sensation.' To improve, try to incorporate more precise academic vocabulary and collocations to demonstrate a wider range of lexical control.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

You demonstrate a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While your meaning is generally clear, there are frequent grammatical errors, particularly with subject-verb agreement (e.g., 'people listens,' 'a child want') and article usage. These errors do not typically impede communication, but they are noticeable. To achieve a higher band, you should focus on proofreading for basic grammatical accuracy and attempt to use a wider variety of complex structures, such as conditional sentences or passive voice, with greater precision.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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