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)

It is increasingly argued that musical art forms serve as an effective tool to unite people of varying backgrounds and age groups. While I acknowledge that music is an effective way of bringing people of different cultures and ages together, I do not believe that this view can be applied universally. In my view, music is a universal form of communication.

To begin with, there are several compelling reasons why music helps to bring people of different ages together, which can be considered valid. First and foremost, music is a universal language. In other words, music is the simplest and most efficient way of communication. This is particularly significant because we don't want to understand words. A pertinent example of this can be seen in national songs of different countries, where different countries have different musical styles. Consequently, people from different countries or cultures listen to the same song. As a result, cultural barriers become weaker. Furthermore, another noteworthy consideration is that parents introduce traditional songs to the younger generation, while younger people introduce modern songs to parents or grandparents. This can largely be attributed to the fact that all ages enjoy music together. As a result, the generation gap between young and old people decreases. Which have far-reaching implications for society.

Nevertheless, the aforementioned argument has certain limitations that warrant careful consideration. The most compelling counterargument is that music can sometimes create separation rather than connection. For instance, musical taste varies from people to people. Moreover, not everyone likes music. Some people like a calm environment.

In conclusion, I strongly agree that music can bring people from different cultures and generations together. It can overcome cultural differences and create shared experiences. Although people may have different musical preferences, music remains an effective way to connect with them.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

The candidate addresses all parts of the task and presents a clear position throughout the response. In the introduction, the writer states, "While I acknowledge that music is an effective way of bringing people of different cultures and ages together, I do not believe that this view can be applied universally." This position is supported with relevant ideas, such as how music acts as a universal language and helps bridge generational gaps through shared traditional and modern songs. However, the development of ideas in the counterargument paragraph is somewhat limited and brief, noting simply that "musical taste varies" and some prefer a "calm environment." To reach a higher band, these counter-arguments require deeper extension and clearer illustration. Overall, the task is addressed adequately, placing this response at Band 6.5.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The text demonstrates a coherent overall arrangement with clear paragraphing, dividing the introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion appropriately. The writer employs cohesive devices such as "To begin with," "First and foremost," "Furthermore," and "Nevertheless" to guide the reader. However, some cohesive devices and referencing are used mechanically or slightly inappropriately. For instance, the sentence fragment "Which have far-reaching implications for society" disrupts the flow of the previous sentence and creates a grammatical slip. Additionally, the transition between ideas in the third paragraph is abrupt. Paragraphing is present, but logical progression could be smoother and more sophisticated. These features align well with the Band 6 descriptor.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The student uses an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, successfully attempting less common items such as "generational gap," "far-reaching implications," and "cultural barriers." However, there are notable lexical inaccuracies and awkward phrasings that prevent a higher score. For example, the phrase "musical art forms" is slightly repetitive given the frequent use of "music," and "musical taste varies from people to people" contains a collocation error (it should be 'from person to person'). Despite these errors, communication is never impeded, and the vocabulary is sufficient to convey the intended meaning, reflecting the criteria for Band 6.0.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The response features a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, demonstrating attempts at varied structures such as concessive clauses ("While I acknowledge that...") and relative clauses. However, grammatical accuracy is inconsistent. There are several noticeable errors, including a sentence fragment ("Which have far-reaching implications for society.") and minor punctuation or phrasing issues. Despite these errors, the meaning remains clear throughout, and the errors do not impede communication. The control over grammar represents a solid Band 6 performance, balancing complex structures with recurring minor errors.

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

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