Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-09-11
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 5.5)
Nowadays, some say that the most important thing about being rich is that one has the opportunity to help others has become an important issue. Some people believe that wealthy people have greater financial resources and more opportunities to support others. I largely agree that one of the most important advantages of being rich is the opportunity to help people in need, although wealth also provides personal security and a comfortable lifestyle.
One main reason for my view is that wealthy individuals can donate money and provide support to poor or disadvantaged people. This is because they have enough money to cover their own needs and still have extra resources. As a result, this can improve the lives of others and support communities. For example, wealthy people can donate to charities that provide food, education and medical treatment to low-income families.
Another important point is that wealth allows people to afford better healthcare, education and comfortable housing. This can happen because they do not face the same financial pressure as low-income people. Therefor, they can live a more comfortable and secure life and plan for the future. For instance, a wealthy family can pay for high-quality medical treatment and their children's education without serious financial difficulties.
In conclusion, I largely agree that one of the most important benefits of being rich is the opportunity to help others. However, wealth also allows people to enjoy greater financial security and a more comfortable lifestyle.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response addresses the prompt by discussing the importance of helping others versus personal benefits. However, the essay is under the 250-word minimum, which limits the depth of the argument. While the position is clear, the development of ideas is somewhat superficial. For instance, the second body paragraph shifts focus to personal benefits (healthcare/housing) rather than fully exploring the prompt's core premise regarding the 'most important thing' about being rich. To reach a higher band, you should expand on your arguments with more specific examples or nuanced reasoning to meet the length requirement and provide a more comprehensive analysis.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The essay is logically organized into clear paragraphs, each with a central topic. Cohesive devices such as 'One main reason,' 'As a result,' and 'In conclusion' are used effectively to guide the reader through the argument. However, the transition between the second and third paragraphs is slightly abrupt, and the overall flow could be improved by using more sophisticated linking phrases. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the progression of ideas is generally easy to follow, though the brevity of the text prevents a more complex development of the argument.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is adequate for the task but lacks variety and sophistication. You rely on common terms like 'important,' 'money,' and 'people' repeatedly. While the meaning is always clear, there is little evidence of less common lexical items or idiomatic collocations that would demonstrate a higher level of proficiency. To improve, try to incorporate more precise academic vocabulary related to wealth and social responsibility, and avoid repeating the same words in close proximity.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The essay demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. Most sentences are grammatically accurate, though there is a minor error in the first sentence ('...has become an important issue' lacks a clear subject) and a spelling error ('Therefor' instead of 'Therefore'). The control of punctuation is generally good. To achieve a higher band, you should aim to incorporate a wider variety of complex grammatical structures, such as conditional sentences or passive voice, while maintaining the current level of accuracy.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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