Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-09-26

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 assist other people. While I agree that helping others is a significant and noble benefit of being rich, I disagree that it is the _most_ important thing.

Admittedly, wealth provides a unique opportunity for philanthropy. Rich individuals have the financial power to make a large-scale impact that ordinary people cannot. They can donate to charities, fund hospitals and schools, and support scientific research. For example, billionaires like Bill Gates have used their fortune to fight malaria and improve education in developing countries, saving millions of lives. From this perspective, using money for the welfare of society is arguably the most meaningful use of riches, giving wealth a moral purpose beyond personal luxury.

However, for most people, the primary importance of being rich is personal security and freedom. Financial stability eliminates the constant stress about basic needs such as housing, healthcare, and education for one's family. Moreover, wealth offers freedom of choice — the freedom to choose a career one is passionate about, to travel, to pursue hobbies, and to have more control over one's time. These personal benefits are the initial and most direct motivation for people to become rich, whereas helping others is often a secondary consideration that comes after personal needs are met.

In conclusion, although the opportunity to help others is one of the most admirable aspects of being wealthy, I believe it is not the most important thing for the majority of rich people. The fundamental value of wealth lies in providing security, independence, and freedom for oneself and one's family.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the task, presenting a clear and well-developed position throughout. In the introduction, the writer takes a balanced stance, acknowledging the merit of the prompt's premise while disagreeing that it is the single most important aspect of wealth. Body paragraph one logically explores philanthropy with a strong, concrete example of billionaires like Bill Gates. Body paragraph two shifts smoothly to counter-arguments regarding personal security and freedom, offering supporting details such as freedom of career choice and relief from the constant stress of basic needs. Ideas are thoroughly extended and supported, aligning well with the Band 8 descriptors.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.5

Ideas are logically sequenced, creating a smooth progression from the introduction through the body paragraphs to a well-formulated conclusion. Cohesive devices are managed very naturally and appropriately, as seen in transition markers like 'Admittedly', 'However', and 'In conclusion'. Paragraphing is used effectively, with each paragraph focusing on a distinct central topic (philanthropy versus personal security). Referencing is clear and unambiguous throughout the response, ensuring that the reader can easily follow the progression of arguments. This level of organization meets the requirements for a Band 8 score.

Lexical Resource: Band 7.5

The candidate demonstrates a wide, fluent, and flexible vocabulary range suited to an academic discussion. Words and phrases like 'philanthropy', 'large-scale impact', 'financial stability', and 'primary importance' are used with precision and good collocation. There is a skillful use of uncommon lexical items such as 'moral purpose' and 'secondary consideration'. Vocabulary is deployed naturally, with no noticeable spelling errors or awkward word choices that detract from the flow. The lexical control exhibited throughout the essay comfortably warrants a Band 8.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 7.5

The essay displays a wide range of complex structures used with a high degree of flexibility and accuracy. The majority of sentences are error-free, featuring well-constructed subordinate clauses, participial phrases, and conditional ideas. Punctuation is handled correctly to guide the reader through complex thoughts, such as in the sentence 'Moreover, wealth offers freedom of choice — the freedom to choose a career...'. Only very occasional minor slips might occur, but grammar and punctuation remain exceptionally strong and do not impede communication in any way. This performance aligns fully with a Band 8 descriptor.

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