Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · 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 7.0)

In some cultures, children are often told that they can achieve anything if they try hard enough. This message can have several positives effects on children, such as making them more confident and motivated. However, it can also have some negative consequences if children develop unrealistic expectations about success.

One major advantage of this message is that it encourages children to work hard and not give up easily. When children believe that their efforts can help them achieve their goals, they are more likely to face difficulties with determination. For example, a student who performs poorly in an exam may study harder instead of loosing hope. Moreover, this belief can help children develop important qualities such as confidence, patience and perseverance, which can be useful in both their education and future careers.

On the other hand, telling children that they can achieve anything through hard work may give them unrealistic expectations. In reality, success does not always depend only on effort, as people have different abilities, opportunities and circumstances. For instance, a child may work very hard to become a professional footballer but may not have the physical skills needed for this career. As a result, such children may feel disappointed or blame themselves when they fail to achieve their goals. It can also put unnecessary pressure on them to succeed in every area of life.

In conclusion, telling children that hard work can help them achieve their goals can make them more motivated, confident and determined. However, this message can also create unrealistic expectations and pressure when success is not achieved despite their efforts. Therefore, children should be encouraged to work hard while also being taught that realistic goals and individual abilities are equally important.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt by discussing both the advantages and disadvantages of the message given to children. The position is clear from the introduction and is maintained throughout the essay. Each paragraph provides relevant, well-developed ideas, such as the link between the message and increased motivation, as well as the potential for psychological distress when success is not achieved. The arguments are supported by logical examples, such as the mention of a student performing poorly or a child aspiring to be a professional footballer. The conclusion effectively synthesizes the main points and provides a balanced final perspective.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

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 smooth, signaled by the phrase 'On the other hand'. Cohesive devices such as 'Moreover', 'For example', 'In reality', and 'As a result' are used effectively to link sentences and ideas. The paragraphing is appropriate, with a clear introduction, two body paragraphs, and a conclusion. The flow of information is natural, and the reader can easily follow the writer's line of reasoning without any confusion or mechanical repetition.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The vocabulary is sufficient and appropriate for the task. The writer uses a range of topic-specific terms such as 'unrealistic expectations', 'perseverance', 'determination', and 'individual abilities'. There is a good level of precision in word choice, and the language is natural throughout. While the vocabulary is functional and accurate, it does not consistently reach the level of 'sophisticated' or 'uncommon' lexical items that would characterize a band 8 or 9. However, there are no errors in word choice or collocation that impede communication, and the range is more than adequate for the task.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The essay demonstrates a good variety of complex structures, such as conditional sentences ('If children believe that...') and subordinate clauses ('...as people have different abilities...'). The majority of sentences are error-free, and the grammar is generally accurate. There is one minor spelling error ('loosing' instead of 'losing'), but this is a rare slip and does not affect the overall clarity of the writing. Punctuation is used correctly throughout. The control over complex structures is consistent, and the writer shows a good command of sentence variety, which supports the overall readability of the response.

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