Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-08-27

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 7.5)

Music is a powerful means through which people from different nations, cultures, and age groups can connect with one another. It can provide both entertainment and opportunities to learn about unfamiliar traditions, and I strongly agree that music can bring people closer together.

From ancient times to the present day, music has been used by different cultures to communicate traditions, emotions, and social values. People can learn about a particular culture through the traditional music for which it is known. Moreover, music not only provides entertainment for people of all ages but can also serve as a source of comfort during difficult times and a means of celebrating happiness. For example, international events such as the Olympics often include performances representing different cultures. Such performances expose audiences from around the world to unfamiliar musical traditions and can promote cultural understanding. Similarly, the Kalash festivals in northern Pakistan allow visitors to experience the community's traditional music, dances, and clothing, providing them with an opportunity to learn about a culture that they may otherwise know little about.

Admittedly, music cannot always overcome cultural differences. People have different musical preferences, and they may not understand songs performed in unfamiliar languages or appreciate musical styles that are very different from their own. However, these limitations do not prevent music from creating opportunities for interaction and mutual appreciation. In fact, people can enjoy music together even when they do not share the same language or cultural background.

In conclusion, I strongly believe that music can bring people from different cultures and age groups together. Although not everyone appreciates unfamiliar musical traditions, music remains an effective form of entertainment and an important means of promoting cultural understanding.

AI examiner evaluation

CriterionBand
Task Achievement / Task Response7.5
Coherence and Cohesion7.5
Lexical Resource7.0
Grammatical Range and Accuracy7.5
Overall7.5

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You have taken a clear position from the introduction and maintained it throughout the essay. The ideas are well-developed, particularly the use of the Olympics and the Kalash festivals as concrete examples to support your argument. You also effectively acknowledge the counter-argument regarding musical preferences, which adds depth to your analysis. The response is balanced and directly answers the 'to what extent' aspect of the question by providing a nuanced view that acknowledges limitations while ultimately supporting the main premise. The ideas are relevant and logically extended.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between the main argument and the counter-argument is smooth, using appropriate cohesive devices such as 'Moreover', 'Similarly', and 'Admittedly'. The paragraphing is logical and helps the reader follow your line of reasoning easily. Referencing is clear throughout, and the use of cohesive devices is natural rather than mechanical. The structure is well-managed, ensuring that the argument flows logically from the introduction to the conclusion.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary that is appropriate for an academic context. Phrases like 'powerful means', 'unfamiliar traditions', and 'mutual appreciation' show a level of sophistication. While the vocabulary is accurate and fits the context well, it could be further elevated to reach the highest band by incorporating more precise collocations or less common idiomatic expressions. However, the current range is sufficient to convey your ideas with precision and clarity, and there are no errors in word choice that impede communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay displays a good variety of complex sentence structures, such as the use of conditional and concessive clauses (e.g., 'even when they do not share the same language'). The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation and grammar is strong. There are no significant errors that cause confusion or impede the reader's understanding. To reach a higher band, you could experiment with a wider variety of advanced grammatical structures, such as inversion or more complex passive constructions, though your current control is already very solid.

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

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