Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-09-14

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 6.5)

It is said that the most important thing about being wealthy is that they have the privilege of helping others. Although having a lot of money gives the rich a chance to help the needy, I believe that the rich should have the personal freedom to do as they like and helping others should be an optional choice.

Wealth is the primary tool for achieving personal freedom. This allows individuals the liberty to choose their lifestyle, such as pursuing hobbies, travelling, retiring early and not being forced to work a 9-5 job. Ultimately, wealth provides an individual with complete autonomy over their life, time, and finances, allowing them to live on their own terms. For instance, a successful software engineer who builds and sells a tech start-up can choose to retire in their thirties. Instead of being locked into a rigid corporate routine, their financial independence grants them the absolute freedom to spend their days raising a family, travelling the world, or mastering a new hobby without ever worrying about a paycheck.

Similarly, being a philanthropist should remain an optional choice. Helping others is a good action, but it should be a personal choice based on values rather than the main purpose or duty of being rich. Furthermore, this shouldn't feel like a moral duty or obligation that needs to be performed or fulfilled for the needy or society. For example, when wealthy individuals are publicly pressured or legally forced to donate to specific causes, the act ceases to be true charity and becomes a mere public relations exercise. charity only holds meaning when it's from a genuine, personal desire to support a cause, rather than a social expectation.

In conclusion, even though great wealth enables individuals to fund charitable causes, I believe that personal autonomy over one's finances is paramount, meaning that social welfare contributions should be an optional preference rather than a moral duty.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The student presents a clear position throughout the response, addressing the prompt by evaluating whether helping others is the most important aspect of wealth. The ideas are well-developed and supported with relevant examples, such as the scenario of the software engineer achieving personal freedom and autonomy. The main arguments are extended logically, demonstrating a good understanding of the complexities of the prompt, such as distinguishing between genuine philanthropy and forced social obligations. Overall, the task is addressed fully and effectively, meeting all requirements of the task response descriptor for Band 7.0.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The response demonstrates a clear logical organization and progression throughout. Each paragraph has a distinct central topic, moving smoothly from the introduction to the body paragraphs discussing personal freedom and optional philanthropy, and concluding with a succinct summary. Cohesive devices are used effectively to connect ideas, such as "Furthermore" and "Similarly," though some transitions are occasionally standard or mechanical. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately, ensuring the reader can easily follow the progression of the argument, comfortably fitting the Band 7.0 criteria.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The writer uses a sufficient range of vocabulary with some flexibility and precision, such as "privilege," "autonomy," "philanthropist," and "financial independence." Less common items are utilized with good awareness of style and collocation, as seen in expressions like "rigid corporate routine" and "public relations exercise." There are occasional minor awkward expressions, such as lowercase "charity" in the third paragraph, but overall the lexical resource is adequate to convey precise meanings and comfortably meets the Band 7.0 standard.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The student displays a good variety of complex structures and frequent error-free sentences, such as conditional and concessive clauses ("Although having a lot of money gives the rich a chance..."). Control of grammar and punctuation is generally strong, with only minor lapses, such as a slight pronoun agreement inconsistency in the opening sentence ("It is said that the most important thing about being wealthy is that they..."). These occasional errors do not impede communication, placing the response securely in the Band 7.0 range.

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