Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-09-21

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 7.5)

It is often argued that the greatest advantage of wealth is the ability to support others. I completely agree with this view, as the capacity to help others not only brings deeper personal fulfilment but also has a far greater impact on society than mere personal luxury.

Admittedly, being rich offers considerable personal benefits, such as financial security and a luxurious lifestyle. Wealthy individuals can afford high-quality healthcare, elite education for their children, and freedom from financial stress. However, these benefits are self-centred and temporary. The satisfaction derived from buying an expensive car or a large house tends to diminish quickly, a phenomenon known as hedonic adaptation. In contrast, using wealth to help others provides a more lasting sense of purpose.

The most significant value of being rich lies in philanthropy and its transformative power. Rich people are in a unique position to address social problems that governments often fail to solve. For example, Bill Gates and Warren Buffett have donated billions to eradicate diseases, fund education, and reduce poverty in developing countries like Pakistan. Such contributions can improve the lives of millions, which is a far more meaningful achievement than accumulating personal possessions. Moreover, helping others creates a ripple effect, inspiring others to contribute and fostering a more compassionate society.

In conclusion, while wealth certainly allows for a comfortable life, I believe its most important function is to enable individuals to help those in need. The true measure of being rich is not what one owns, but what one gives back to society.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the task by presenting a clear, well-developed position throughout the essay. The introduction establishes a strong stance, which is systematically supported in the body paragraphs. The student thoughtfully considers alternative perspectives regarding personal luxury before contrasting them with the broader societal impacts of wealth, specifically utilizing the concept of hedonic adaptation and real-world examples like Bill Gates and Warren Buffett. The ideas are extended appropriately, showing a deep engagement with the prompt. The response meets all the requirements of Band 8 by covering all parts of the task well and maintaining a well-developed argument with no major omissions.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay displays a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Each paragraph has a distinct central topic, moving smoothly from the introduction to the acknowledgment of personal benefits, followed by the core argument on philanthropy, and concluding neatly. Cohesive devices are used naturally and effectively, such as 'Admittedly', 'However', 'In contrast', and 'Moreover', which guide the reader effortlessly through the text. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately, ensuring that ideas are grouped logically. The progression of thought is transparent, placing this securely in the Band 8 descriptor where all aspects of cohesion are well managed.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

The student demonstrates a wide, fluent, and flexible lexical resource suitable for an academic response. Advanced and precise vocabulary is integrated naturally throughout the text, including terms such as 'personal fulfilment', 'hedonic adaptation', 'transformative power', and 'compassionate society'. There is skilful use of less common lexical items ('eradicate diseases', 'accumulating personal possessions') with strong collocation control. Minor vocabulary slips are virtually absent, and the language is sufficiently sophisticated to meet the high standards of Band 8, showing a strong stylistic awareness and command of precise academic phrasing.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The writer demonstrates a wide range of structures with a high degree of grammatical accuracy. Complex sentences are constructed with ease and control, featuring varied subordinate clauses and participial phrases (e.g., 'Wealthy individuals can afford high-quality healthcare, elite education for their children, and freedom from financial stress' and 'Rich people are in a unique position to address social problems that governments often fail to solve'). The majority of sentences are completely error-free, and punctuation is handled with precision. Only occasional, very minor imperfections could be noted, but none impede communication, justifying a solid Band 8 score.

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