Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-08-26
IELTS Writing Task 2 question
In some countries owning a home rather than renting one is very important for people. Why might this be the case? Do you think this is a positive or negative situation?
Student answer (Band 6.5)
It is often argued that people can achieve greater happiness when they have little or no work to do, whereas others believe that employment and participation in meaningful activities are essential for a fulfilling life. Although having sufficient free time can provide opportunities for relaxation and personal interests, I believe that a balanced lifestyle involving both productive work and leisure is far more beneficial.
On the one hand, having plenty of free time can contribute significantly to people’s well-being. Modern life is often characterised by demanding jobs, long working hours and numerous responsibilities, which can leave individuals physically and mentally exhausted. Consequently, time away from work enables people to rest, spend quality time with their families and pursue hobbies that they genuinely enjoy.
On the other hand, completely avoiding work or meaningful activities is unlikely to result in long-term satisfaction. Employment not only provides financial security but also gives people a sense of purpose, achievement and social connection. When individuals accomplish goals or contribute to their families and communities, they are more likely to develop self-confidence and a sense of personal worth. Furthermore, excessive free time can sometimes lead to boredom, loneliness and a lack of motivation, particularly when people have no meaningful activities to occupy them. For example, a person who spends most of the day doing nothing may initially enjoy the freedom but eventually feel frustrated because their daily life lacks direction.
In conclusion, although having considerable free time can reduce stress and provide opportunities for relaxation, I believe that a combination of meaningful work and adequate leisure is the most effective way to achieve lasting happiness.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 3.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 8.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 8.0 |
| Overall | 6.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 3.0
The response is completely off-topic. The prompt asks about the importance of owning a home versus renting and whether this is a positive or negative situation. However, the essay discusses the balance between work and leisure. Because the student failed to address the specific task requirements, the score for Task Achievement is significantly impacted. While the ideas are well-developed and coherent within the context of the topic chosen, they do not answer the question posed in the prompt. To improve, it is essential to carefully analyse the prompt before writing to ensure the content directly addresses the specific question asked.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0
Despite being off-topic, the essay itself is well-structured. The writer uses clear paragraphing and logical sequencing. Cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand', 'On the other hand', 'Consequently', and 'Furthermore' are used effectively to guide the reader through the argument. The progression of ideas is logical, and each paragraph has a clear central theme. The use of referencing is accurate, and the conclusion provides a clear summary of the points made. If the content had been relevant to the prompt, this would be a very strong performance in terms of coherence and cohesion.
Lexical Resource — Band 7.5
The vocabulary is varied and appropriate for an academic essay. The student demonstrates a good range of topic-specific vocabulary, such as 'fulfilling life', 'financial security', 'social connection', and 'physically and mentally exhausted'. The word choices are precise and natural, showing a good level of control. There are no significant spelling or word-choice errors. The range is sufficient to express complex ideas clearly and fluently. The student uses collocations effectively, which contributes to the overall readability of the text.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0
The essay displays a wide range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences with subordinate clauses (e.g., 'Although having sufficient free time can provide...'). The majority of sentences are error-free, and the control over punctuation and tense usage is excellent. There are no noticeable grammatical errors that impede communication. The writer shows flexibility in sentence construction, which makes the writing flow smoothly. The grammatical accuracy is high, and the structures used are appropriate for a formal academic response.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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