Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-09-24

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)

Music is often described as a universal language that can connect people of different backgrounds. Some people believe that it is an effective way for individuals to connect with others of different cultures and ages. I largely agree with this opinion because music can overcome language barriers and create a shared experience among different groups of people.

One reason is that why music is effective in connecting different cultures and ages. People can speak different languages and come from different cultures in the areas where he lives; younger and older people have different tastes in music. But some people have the same interests in listening to music. In an international festival, for example, music can attract the peole how can come from different countries, but the audience has the same reaction to the music. The public can come from different regions, but they listen to the same rhythm and melody and react the same way to the music.

Music can build a gap between different generations, younger and older. The older and younger have different choices about music. At different events, festivals, weddings, and family get-togethers, they usually play music that encourages people of all ages; for example, traditional songs can be passed from one generation to another. However, music cannot always unite everyone. There are differences between different younger and older people, but there is very little chance that music will make people unhappy.

In my opinion, music is an effective way of connecting people; it can also improve communication skills, reduce language barriers, and provide the opportunity for people to work together.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, taking a clear position that largely agrees with the idea that music brings different cultures and ages together. The student develops relevant ideas, such as how music can transcend language barriers at international festivals and bridge generational gaps through traditional songs passed down through families. However, the development of these ideas is sometimes repetitive and lacks deep extension. For instance, the paragraph discussing age differences tends to circle back to similar points without introducing robust new evidence or fully exploring the nuances. The response fits the Band 6 descriptor because it addresses all parts of the task, presents a clear viewpoint, and includes relevant ideas, though some parts are slightly under-developed or repetitive.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response displays a coherent overall arrangement with clear paragraphing, moving logically from an introduction to body paragraphs focusing on culture and age, and finishing with a conclusion. However, cohesion is sometimes mechanical or faulty. For example, sentences such as 'One reason is that why music is effective...' demonstrate awkward transitional phrasing, and referencing is occasionally unclear, as seen in 'where he lives' when referring to plural people. Cohesive devices are used, but sometimes inaccurately or repetitively, such as the frequent repetition of 'different' and 'music'. Paragraphing is present and appropriate, but internal logical progression could be smoother. These features align closely with the Band 6 descriptor for Coherence and Cohesion.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The student uses an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, successfully incorporating topic-related terms such as 'universal language', 'language barriers', 'rhythm and melody', and 'traditional songs'. There are several attempts to use less common vocabulary, but these are sometimes marred by word-choice and spelling errors, such as 'peole' instead of 'people' and 'how can come' instead of 'who come'. Expressions like 'build a gap' are inappropriate collocations (the student likely meant 'bridge a gap' or 'close a gap'). Despite these lexical inaccuracies and spelling slips, the meaning remains clear throughout, placing the response solidly in the Band 6 range.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The writer attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, demonstrating some control over sentence structure with clauses linked by words like 'because', 'although', and 'for example'. However, there are frequent grammatical errors and awkward phrasing that affect accuracy. Examples include 'One reason is that why music is effective...', subject-verb agreement issues like 'where he lives' for plural subjects, and confusing clauses such as 'the peole how can come'. Punctuation is generally acceptable, and errors rarely impede overall communication, but the high frequency of minor grammatical slips prevents the response from reaching a Band 7. This performance reflects the Band 6 descriptor well.

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

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