Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-10-12

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 6.0)

I would say I somewhat agree with this opinion; here is my reasoning. It is completely true that people from different cultures and ages listen to the same genres of music and even the same songs that were produced far away from their own country, by someone a lot younger or older than they are. The point where the dilemma starts is: does this difference truly bring people together, or is it just a coincidence that can be evaluated separately? I can say that I enjoy listening to music produced by American people; this doesn't mean that I can get along with them, or share the same interests as them, or even have nearly the same mindsets that they do. The explanation of being interested in the songs that are produced by an American is just sharing the same feeling as them when they wrote and recorded that song. I might be feeling sad after a breakup, and maybe the only song that expresses my emotions is that particular one, the one that American person came up with, and I will listen to it but this doesn't automatically link that we went through the exact same processes with them, it just says that the way that we expressed ourselves was the same at that time and they were to one to put this into words with a melody. Nevertheless, people of course, can feel connected to other cultures by simply listening specifically to their songs, but it doesn't have to match the idea of bringing people together.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

Your position is clear: you “somewhat agree,” and you explain that sharing a musical preference does not necessarily mean people can get along or share wider interests. The example of listening to an American song after a breakup is relevant and helps illustrate this distinction. However, the response mainly develops the limits of music’s ability to unite people, while the reasons it can bring different cultures and age groups together receive only brief treatment near the end. The discussion of age differences is also not developed with a specific example. To strengthen the response, explain both sides of your qualified position more evenly and show how shared listening or musical events can create interaction across generations or cultures. This would make the argument more fully developed and balanced.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The ideas follow a generally understandable line: you state your position, question whether shared musical taste creates genuine connection, give a personal example, and then acknowledge that music can connect people across cultures. Linking phrases such as “Nevertheless” help signal a shift. However, the response is presented as one long paragraph, and several ideas are packed into very extended sentences. This makes the progression harder to follow, particularly in the breakup example, where the distinction between shared emotion and shared experience is repeated. Some references, such as “this” and “that particular one,” require the reader to infer exactly what they refer to. Use separate paragraphs for your position, supporting example, and qualification, and make each sentence carry one main step in the argument.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use an adequate range to discuss the topic, including phrases such as “genres of music,” “share the same interests,” “mindsets,” and “expresses my emotions.” These choices communicate your ideas clearly, and “bring people together” appropriately echoes the question. There are also some less natural or imprecise expressions: “the dilemma starts” is not quite the right fit for introducing an analytical question, while “the same processes” is vague in the context of a breakup. “The explanation of being interested in” is also an awkward way to express your point. Aim for more precise collocations and avoid repeating “same” and “people” where a more specific phrase would help. This would make the argument sound more fluent and controlled.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

You attempt a mix of simple and complex structures, including contrast with “this doesn’t mean that…” and a conditional example beginning “I might be feeling sad after a breakup.” Most of the meaning remains clear, but some long sentences contain punctuation and clause-linking problems. For example, the sentence beginning “I might be feeling sad” runs through several connected ideas and ends with “it just says,” leaving the relationship between the clauses difficult to track. In “that American person came up with,” the article is missing, and “they were to one” appears to contain a grammatical slip. Break long sentences into shorter units, check articles and pronoun references, and use punctuation to show where one complete idea ends. This will improve accuracy without limiting your range.

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

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