Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-08-31
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)
There is a widespread belief that relentless work and effort guarantees success in some cultures. It could help people to have motivation and the desire to move forward; however, it could also set unrealistic dreams for younger people.
On the one hand, telling youngsters that they can achieve anything they want if they try hard is a good way of helping them to step out of their comfort zone to take more steps. Furthermore, giving this advice from a young age allows children to think outside of the box and explore every possible opportunity since they have a mindset that they can accomplish anything in any field. For example, in sports, if a person who does not play any sports believes in themselves and pursues sports with strong discipline, it is actually possible even if they are not born athletic.
On the other hand, this message does actually have some drawbacks. One disadvantage is that it could set unachievable expectations in their minds, such as becoming a billionaire or winning an Olympic medal. What I mean by this is that it is not impossible, but only a small number of people achieve this. Therefore, telling children that they can become anything they want in the future could cause problems along the way. For instance, they might experience depression, burnout, and might even lose all their confidence because of failing to do things they have desired despite trying their best.
In conclusion, some people achieve everything by believing in themselves, but others might not be able to succeed even though they tried their best. Therefore, advising children to try hard so that they can accomplish anything can be beneficial as well as detrimental.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 6.5 |
| Overall | 6.5 |
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 risk of burnout. The position is consistent throughout the essay. To reach a higher band, the development of ideas could be more nuanced; for example, the example regarding sports is a bit simplistic. However, the response successfully covers the requirements of the task with a clear structure and balanced viewpoint.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0
The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, two body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand', 'Furthermore', and 'In conclusion' are used effectively to guide the reader through the argument. Paragraphing is appropriate, with each paragraph focusing on a distinct aspect of the topic. The progression of ideas is smooth, and referencing is generally clear. The use of linking words is natural and contributes to the overall flow of the text, making it easy to follow the writer's line of reasoning.
Lexical Resource — Band 6.0
The vocabulary is sufficient and appropriate for the task. The student uses some effective collocations and phrases such as 'widespread belief', 'step out of their comfort zone', and 'unachievable expectations'. While the range is adequate, it lacks the sophistication or 'less common' lexical items that would characterize a higher band score. There are no significant errors in word choice or spelling that impede communication. The language is precise enough to convey the intended meaning clearly throughout the essay.
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 are occasional minor slips, such as 'if a person who does not play any sports believes in themselves and pursues sports with strong discipline, it is actually possible even if they are not born athletic', which is slightly clunky. However, these errors do not impede communication. The punctuation is used correctly, and the control over complex structures is sufficient for a solid score.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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