Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-08-25

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 enough. This message has both advantages and disadvantages. This essay will discuss both sides and give my opinion.

One important advantage is that this message can motivate children to work harder. If children believe that they can achieve their goals through hard work, they may study more regularly and become more confident. For example, a student who wants to become a doctor may work hard in school because they believe their efforts will help them succeed. Moreover, this message can teach children to be persistent and not give up when they face difficulties.

On the other hand, there are some disadvantages of giving children this message. Hard work does not always guarantee success because there are other factors, such as money, opportunities and natural abilities. If children work very hard but still fail, they may feel disappointed and lose confidence. In addition, they may blame themselves for every failure, even when the problem is not under their control.

In my opinion, parents should encourage children to work hard, but they should not tell them that hard work can achieve absolutely everything. Children should understand that effort is very important, but success also depends on opportunities, circumstances and sometimes luck. This can help them have realistic expectations.

In conclusion, telling children that they can achieve anything through hard work can make them more motivated and confident. However, this message can also create pressure and disappointment. Therefore, children should be encouraged to work hard while also understanding the reality of success and failure.

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 extended, such as the discussion on motivation versus the potential for disappointment. The position is consistent throughout the essay. To reach a higher band, the development could be more nuanced; for instance, exploring the societal implications of this message beyond individual psychology would add depth. However, the current response is well-balanced and fully addresses the requirements of the task.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph has a central topic, and the progression of ideas is easy to follow. Cohesive devices such as 'Moreover', 'On the other hand', and 'In addition' are used effectively to link sentences and paragraphs. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the flow of information is smooth. The structure is clear and supports the overall argument without being mechanical.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary is sufficient for the task and allows for clear communication. The student uses appropriate terms like 'persistent', 'guarantee', and 'realistic expectations'. While the range is adequate, it is somewhat functional rather than sophisticated. There are no significant errors in word choice or collocation that impede meaning. To improve, the student should aim to incorporate more precise or academic collocations and less common lexical items to demonstrate a wider range of vocabulary.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The essay demonstrates a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. Most sentences are error-free, and the grammar is generally accurate. There is a good command of punctuation and sentence construction. While the range of structures is solid, it lacks the variety of more complex, sophisticated grammatical forms (such as advanced conditional structures or passive constructions) that would be expected at the highest bands. However, the control is consistent, and errors are rare.

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

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