Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-09-09

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 some cultures, children are frequently told that they can achieve anything they want as long as they work hard enough. This message can have several positive effects on young people, particularly by encouraging ambition and perseverance. However, it can also create unrealistic expectations and place unnecessary pressure on children.

One major advantage of this message is that it can motivate children to make greater efforts to achieve their goals. When young people believe that success is possible through hard work, they may be more willing to study seriously, practise new skills, and continue trying when they encounter difficulties. For example, a child who struggles with mathematics may be encouraged to practise regularly rather than simply believing that they are naturally bad at the subject. In addition, this attitude can help children develop confidence and resilience. Even if they fail initially, they may view failure as an opportunity to improve rather than a reason to give up.

On the other hand, telling children that they can achieve anything through effort alone may give them an unrealistic view of success. In reality, achievement depends on many factors besides hard work, including natural ability, financial circumstances, opportunities, and sometimes luck. For instance, a child may dream of becoming a professional athlete and train extremely hard, but physical limitations or intense competition may prevent this from happening. If children are taught that effort always leads to success, they may blame themselves when they fail to achieve a particular goal. This can result in disappointment, stress, or low self-esteem. Furthermore, some children may spend excessive amounts of time pursuing unrealistic ambitions instead of considering alternative goals that are better suited to their abilities and circumstances.

In conclusion, telling children that they can achieve anything if they work hard can encourage motivation, confidence, and perseverance. Nevertheless, this message can also create unrealistic expectations and cause children to feel responsible for failures that may be beyond their control. Therefore, children should be encouraged to work hard while also being taught to set realistic goals and understand that success depends on a variety of factors.

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 (motivation, confidence, resilience) and the disadvantages (unrealistic expectations, pressure, potential for low self-esteem). The position is consistent throughout, and the ideas are well-developed with relevant examples, such as the mention of professional athletes and academic struggles. The conclusion effectively synthesizes the arguments and provides a balanced final thought. The response is well-structured and directly answers the question posed.

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, using appropriate cohesive devices like 'On the other hand' and 'Furthermore'. Referencing is clear, and the paragraphing is used effectively to separate distinct points. The flow of information is natural, and the relationship between sentences 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 context. Phrases like 'unrealistic expectations', 'physical limitations', and 'intense competition' show a solid command of topic-specific language. While the vocabulary is accurate and precise, it could be elevated further by incorporating more sophisticated or idiomatic collocations to reach the highest band. However, the current usage is natural and effectively conveys your meaning without any errors.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay displays a wide range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences with conditional clauses ('If children are taught...') and relative clauses ('...failures that may be beyond their control'). The punctuation is accurate, and the majority of sentences are error-free. The control over verb tenses and subject-verb agreement is consistent. There are no significant grammatical errors that impede communication, and the writing style is formal and appropriate for the task.

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