Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-08-14

IELTS Writing Task 2 question

In some cultures, children are often told that they can achieve anything if they try hard enough. What are the advantages and disadvantages of giving children this message?

Student answer (Band 7.5)

In many societies, children are encouraged to believe that they can accomplish anything as long as they work hard enough. Although this message can motivate young people to be ambitious and resilient, it may also create unrealistic expectations about the role of talent, circumstances and external factors in determining success.

One major advantage of this belief is that it can foster determination and a strong work ethic. Children who are taught that effort leads to achievement are more likely to persevere when they encounter difficulties instead of giving up immediately. For example, a student who performs poorly in mathematics may be encouraged to practise more and seek help rather than conclude that they are simply incapable of improving. This mindset can also promote independence, as children learn to take responsibility for their progress and set ambitious goals for themselves.

However, there are also significant disadvantages. Most importantly, hard work alone cannot guarantee success because people have different abilities, opportunities and personal circumstances. A child may work extremely hard to become a professional athlete or musician, for instance, but still fail to reach this goal because of limited natural ability or intense competition. If children are repeatedly told that effort guarantees success, failure may therefore lead to self-blame and frustration. They may wrongly assume that they did not work hard enough, even when their failure was caused by factors beyond their control.

In conclusion, teaching children that perseverance is important can develop valuable qualities such as resilience, ambition and discipline. Nevertheless, this message should be presented realistically. Children should be taught that hard work significantly improves their chances of success, but that achievement also depends on ability, circumstances and sometimes luck.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You have clearly identified both the advantages (determination, work ethic, independence) and the disadvantages (unrealistic expectations, potential for self-blame, ignoring external factors). The position is clear from the introduction and is maintained consistently throughout the essay. Ideas are well-developed with relevant examples, such as the student struggling with mathematics or the aspiring athlete. The conclusion effectively synthesises the arguments and provides a balanced final perspective. The response is well-structured and directly answers the question posed, demonstrating a strong grasp of the task requirements.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organised with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between the advantages and disadvantages is smooth, using appropriate linking phrases such as 'However' and 'Nevertheless'. Cohesive devices are used effectively and naturally, such as 'For example', 'Most importantly', and 'In conclusion'. The paragraphing is logical and contributes to the overall clarity of the argument. There is no evidence of mechanical or repetitive use of cohesive devices, and the flow of information is easy to follow throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary that is appropriate for an academic essay. You use precise terms such as 'resilient', 'persevere', 'unrealistic expectations', and 'external factors'. The word choice is accurate and contributes to a formal, sophisticated tone. While the vocabulary is consistently appropriate and effective, it does not quite reach the level of 'skilful use of uncommon lexical items' required for a band 9, but it is certainly well above the band 7 level. The language is natural and there are no errors in word choice or collocation that impede meaning.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay displays a wide range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences with subordinate clauses (e.g., 'Although this message can motivate...', 'Children who are taught that...'). The majority of sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation and tense usage is excellent. There are no significant grammatical errors, and the writing is fluent and precise. The variety of sentence structures used throughout the essay demonstrates a high level of grammatical competence, fitting the criteria for a band 8, where the majority of sentences are error-free and control is consistent.

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