Band 4.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 4.5 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-08-07
IELTS Writing Task 2 question
In the future nobody will buy printed newspapers or books because they will be able to read everything they want online without paying. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
Student answer (Band 4.5)
It is often argued that money is the key to happiness because it allows people to live comfortably and fulfil their needs. While I agree that financial security is important, I strongly believe that people can still lead happy and satisfying lives without being wealthy. In my opinion, good health, strong relationships, and a sense of purpose are equally important sources of happiness.
On the one hand, money plays a vital role in modern life. It enables people to afford basic necessities such as food, housing, healthcare, and education. In addition, having a stable income reduces financial stress and provides opportunities for travel, entertainment, and personal development. As a result, people with sufficient financial resources often enjoy a higher standard of living and greater peace of mind.
However, money alone cannot guarantee happiness. Many successful and wealthy individuals suffer from loneliness, anxiety, and depression despite having everything they can buy. In contrast, countless people with modest incomes lead fulfilling lives because they value family, friendship, and simple pleasures. This clearly shows that happiness depends more on emotional well-being than on material possessions.
Several other factors also contribute significantly to happiness. First, good physical and mental health allows people to enjoy life and pursue their goals with confidence. Second, loving relationships with family and friends provide emotional support and a strong sense of belonging during both good and difficult times. Finally, having meaningful work and clear personal goals gives individuals a sense of achievement and purpose, making life more rewarding.
In conclusion, although money is essential for meeting basic needs and ensuring financial security, it is not the most important factor in achieving happiness. I believe that good health, supportive relationships, and a meaningful life are the foundations of genuine and long-lasting happiness.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 1.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 6.0 |
| Overall | 4.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 1.0
The response is completely off-topic. The prompt asks for an opinion on the future of printed newspapers and books in the context of online, free content. However, the student has written an essay about whether money is the key to happiness. Because the response fails to address the prompt entirely, it cannot be assessed for task achievement in relation to the specific question asked. While the essay itself is well-structured and coherent, it is a memorised or irrelevant response to the actual task requirements. Consequently, it fails to meet the criteria for task response.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is well-organised with clear paragraphing and a logical progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a clear central topic, and the writer uses cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand', 'In addition', 'However', and 'In conclusion' effectively to link ideas. The flow is smooth and easy to follow. While the content is irrelevant to the prompt, the structural quality of the writing demonstrates a high level of control over coherence and cohesion, which would be appropriate for a higher band if the content were relevant.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is varied and appropriate for an academic essay. The student uses a range of topic-specific vocabulary such as 'financial security', 'material possessions', 'emotional well-being', and 'fulfilling lives'. The collocations are natural, and there is evidence of a sufficient range to discuss complex ideas with precision. There are no significant errors in word choice or spelling. The lexical range is strong, demonstrating an ability to use language flexibly to convey abstract concepts.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0
The essay displays a good variety of complex sentence structures, including conditional clauses and relative clauses (e.g., '...because it allows people to live comfortably...', '...despite having everything they can buy.'). The grammar is highly accurate, with the majority of sentences being error-free. Punctuation is used correctly throughout. The control over complex structures is consistent, and the writing is fluent and grammatically sound, reflecting a high level of proficiency in English syntax and mechanics.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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