Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-08-16
IELTS Writing Task 2 question
Some say that the most important thing about being rich is that one has the opportunity to help others. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Student answer (Band 5.0)
Being rich gives a person the power to help others in huge ways, but helping others is not the only or even the main point of having money.
Why helping others matters: Wealthy people can build hospitals, fund schools, or help thousands of people in need. Their money can change entire communities, which makes helping others a very important part of being rich.
Why personal security comes first: Most people work hard to get rich so they can protect themselves and their families first. Money buys good healthcare, a safe home, and the freedom to live without financial stress.
Summary: Helping others is one of the best things you can do with wealth, but the most important reason people want wealth is usually personal freedom and security for their own family.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 4.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 4.0
The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 250 words, as it contains only 131 words. This significantly impacts the development of the argument. While the student presents a clear position and identifies relevant points—such as the potential for philanthropy versus the priority of personal security—the ideas are presented as brief bullet points rather than fully developed paragraphs. The task requires a cohesive essay structure with extended arguments and supporting examples. Because the response is less than 60% of the required length, it is severely underdeveloped, preventing a higher score.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The response uses a rudimentary structure with headings and bullet points, which is not appropriate for an IELTS Academic Task 2 essay. While the ideas are logically grouped, the lack of full sentences and formal paragraphing means there is no real progression of ideas. Cohesive devices are largely absent, and the text reads more like a set of notes than a coherent piece of writing. To improve, the student must write full, connected paragraphs using linking words to transition between arguments.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary used is functional and clear, but it lacks the range and sophistication expected for an academic essay. Phrases like 'huge ways' and 'most important thing' are somewhat simplistic. There is little evidence of less common lexical items or precise collocations. While the meaning is always clear and there are no spelling errors, the limited length of the response restricts the opportunity to demonstrate a wider range of vocabulary. To achieve a higher band, the student should incorporate more precise, academic terminology.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The grammar is generally accurate, with simple and compound sentences constructed correctly. However, the range of structures is very limited. There is a lack of complex sentence structures, such as relative clauses, passive voice, or conditional forms, which are necessary for higher band scores. Because the response is so short, the variety of grammatical forms is insufficient to demonstrate full control. The sentences are grammatically sound, but they do not show the flexibility required for a higher assessment.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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