Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-08-23

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 6.5)

In some cultures, children are often told that they can achieve anything if they work hard. This message has both advantages and disadvantages. It can make children more confident and hardworking, but it can also put pressure on them.

One important advantage is that this message encourages children to work hard. If children believe that they can achieve their goals through effort, they may not give up easily. For example, if a student gets a low mark in an exam, they may study more and try to get a better result next time. This can help children become more responsible and determined.

Another advantage is that it can increase children's confidence. When parents and teachers tell children that they can achieve their goals, children may believe more in themselves. As a result, they may be more willing to try new things and face difficult situations.

However, there are also some disadvantages. First, hard work does not always guarantee success. People have different abilities, opportunities and circumstances. For example, a child may work very hard to become a professional athlete, but they may not have the physical ability or opportunities needed for this career. Therefore, telling children that they can achieve anything may give them unrealistic expectations.

Another disadvantage is that children may blame themselves when they fail. They may think that they did not work hard enough, even when they have already made a great effort. This can cause stress and disappointment.

In conclusion, telling children that they can achieve anything through hard work has some clear benefits, such as increasing confidence and encouraging them to work harder. However, parents and teachers should also explain that success depends on many other factors, not only effort.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, providing a clear position and discussing both advantages and disadvantages. The ideas are relevant and logically developed, such as the point about children blaming themselves for failure. The essay is well-structured, with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. To reach a higher band, the student could provide more nuanced examples or explore the long-term psychological implications of this message in greater depth. The current development is sufficient for a Band 7, as it covers the requirements well, though it remains somewhat straightforward in its analysis.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between the advantages and disadvantages is handled effectively using the cohesive device 'However'. The use of linking words like 'For example', 'As a result', and 'In conclusion' is appropriate and helps the reader follow the argument. The paragraphing is logical and contributes to the overall clarity of the response. The cohesion is generally smooth, though the range of cohesive devices could be slightly more varied to achieve a higher score.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary used is adequate for the task and allows for clear communication. The student uses relevant terms such as 'unrealistic expectations', 'professional athlete', and 'determined'. While the range is sufficient, it is somewhat limited and lacks the more sophisticated or 'less common' lexical items that would characterize a Band 8 or 9 response. There are no significant errors in word choice or collocation, and the language is natural throughout. To improve, the student should aim to incorporate more precise academic collocations and topic-specific vocabulary.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The response demonstrates a good control of grammatical structures. There is a mix of simple and complex sentences, such as 'If children believe that they can achieve their goals through effort, they may not give up easily.' The grammar is generally accurate, with very few errors. Punctuation is used correctly throughout. While the sentence structures are clear and effective, the range of complex structures is somewhat limited. To move into the higher bands, the student should experiment with a wider variety of complex grammatical forms, such as passive voice or more sophisticated conditional structures.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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