Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-09-15

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 7.5)

It is argued that music serves as an effective medium for uniting people across different cultural backgrounds and age groups. This essay strongly agrees with this perspective. Firstly, music acts as a universal language that bypasses linguistic and cultural barriers, and secondly, shared musical experiences foster intergenerational bonding by bridging the gap between younger and older generations.

Music operates without the constraint of language, making it a powerful catalyst for cross-cultural connections. Unlike spoken communication, auditory rhythm and melody evoke universal human emotions such as joy, sorrow, and celebration. Consequently, individuals can appreciate and connect over traditional or contemporary sounds from completely foreign societies without needing to understand the lyrics. International events like global music festivals or the FIFA World Cup opening ceremonies are prime examples, where audiences from diverse nations congregate, set aside geopolitical differences, and harmonize in shared celebration.

Furthermore, music provides common ground to bring together individuals of contrasting ages. While older and younger generations often experience friction due to differing life perspectives, music acts as an empathetic bridge through shared heritage and modern artistic collaboration. Classic artists like The Beatles continue to resonate with youth while retaining their original, elderly fan base, creating an avenue for meaningful intergenerational dialogue. Additionally, when contemporary pop icons sample classic tracks from earlier decades, it exposes younger audiences to the culture of their parents and grandparents, cultivating mutual appreciation across age divides.

In conclusion, music is an exceptional tool for bringing people together, irrespective of their cultural background or age group. This is due to its unique ability to transcend language barriers through emotion and its power to create common ground between different generations.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The student presents a very clear and fully developed position throughout the response, effectively addressing both aspects of the prompt: cultural and age integration. The introduction outlines a strong stance, which is systematically supported in the body paragraphs. For instance, the discussion on how music bypasses linguistic barriers through 'auditory rhythm and melody' demonstrates well-developed ideas. Furthermore, the point regarding intergenerational bonding is supported with a relevant example involving artists like The Beatles and music sampling. The arguments are logical, extended, and entirely relevant to the task prompt without any noticeable omissions or wandering off-topic.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

Ideas are logically sequenced and progress naturally from introduction to conclusion. The essay is divided into appropriate paragraphs, with each body paragraph focusing on a distinct theme (cultural unity and intergenerational bonding). Cohesive devices are managed well without being overly mechanical, utilizing transitional phrases such as 'Firstly', 'Consequently', 'Furthermore', and 'Additionally' to guide the reader smoothly through the arguments. Referencing and substitution are handled adeptly, ensuring that the relationships between ideas remain clear throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

The student demonstrates a wide and flexible vocabulary range suited to an academic discussion. Less common and sophisticated lexical items are used naturally and precisely, such as 'catalyst for cross-cultural connections', 'intergenerational bonding', 'geopolitical differences', and 'contemporary pop icons'. Word choice and collocations are generally accurate, and spelling is flawless. While the vocabulary reaches a high level of fluency, it stops just short of the completely natural and effortless idiomatic control required for a Band 9, yet easily surpasses the descriptors for Band 7.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay displays a wide range of complex structures used with a high degree of flexibility and control. Sentences such as 'Unlike spoken communication, auditory rhythm and melody evoke universal human emotions such as joy, sorrow, and celebration' and 'Additionally, when contemporary pop icons sample classic tracks from earlier decades, it exposes younger audiences to the culture of their parents and grandparents' showcase this structural variety. The vast majority of sentences are entirely error-free, with only occasional minor slips or structural awkwardness. Punctuation is accurate and supports the logical flow of complex thoughts.

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