Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-09-14

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 many societies, children are raised with the belief that perseverance can unlock any goal. While this encouraging mindset offers significant advantages in building character and confidence, it also carries potential drawbacks if taken to an unrealistic extreme.

The primary benefit of instilling this belief is that it fosters a strong work ethic and resilience. When young people believe their success depends on effort rather than innate talent, they are more inclined to embrace challenges, persist through difficulties, and develop self-efficacy. This growth mindset inspires ambition, motivating students to set high standards for themselves in education, athletics, and future careers. Furthermore, it teaches children that failure is merely a temporary setback on the path to mastery, which builds emotional durability early in life.

However, this message can also have substantial negative consequences when real-world limitations interfere. Believing that success is solely a matter of hard work overlooks systemic inequalities, economic barriers, and natural talent constraints. If children work relentlessly toward an objective but fail to achieve it due to external factors, they may blame themselves entirely. This can result in chronic anxiety, burnout, and feelings of inadequacy. Additionally, it may prevent young individuals from recognizing when it is practical to pivot away from an unattainable goal and redirect their energies toward areas better suited to their unique talents.

In conclusion, teaching children that effort yields success is a valuable tool for building motivation, determination, and confidence. However, to avoid disillusionment and severe psychological strain, this notion should be balanced with guidance on accepting personal limitations and adapting to circumstances beyond one's control.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The student fully addresses all parts of the task by discussing both the advantages and disadvantages of telling children they can achieve anything through hard work. The position is clear throughout the essay, presented immediately in the introduction and maintained consistently. Ideas are well-developed and supported with relevant examples, such as building a strong work ethic, resilience, and emotional durability, contrasted effectively against potential negative consequences like burnout, chronic anxiety, and overlooking systemic inequalities. The response meets the criteria for Band 8 as it covers all parts of the task well with fully developed and well-supported ideas.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay demonstrates a clear logical progression throughout. Ideas are logically sequenced, with each paragraph serving a distinct purpose in the overall argument. Cohesive devices are used skilfully and naturally, such as 'Furthermore', 'However', and 'Additionally', ensuring seamless transitions between sentences and paragraphs. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately, separating the introduction, advantages, disadvantages, and conclusion cleanly. Referencing throughout the text is clear and precise. This performance easily aligns with the Band 8 descriptor for logical sequencing and well-managed cohesion.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

The student exhibits a wide, fluent, and flexible range of vocabulary suited to an academic discussion. Less common lexical items are used skilfully and appropriately, including 'perseverance', 'self-efficacy', 'emotional durability', 'systemic inequalities', and 'disillusionment'. Word choice and collocations are natural throughout, with only very rare, minor inaccuracies. The phrasing demonstrates a high level of sophistication and precision that comfortably satisfies the requirements for Band 8.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The response features a wide range of complex sentence structures used with a high degree of flexibility. The majority of sentences are completely error-free, showcasing excellent control of subordination, conditional elements, and punctuation. Examples such as 'When young people believe their success depends on effort rather than innate talent, they are more inclined to embrace challenges...' highlight this grammatical strength. Only very occasional, non-systematic slips occur, which places the writing securely within the Band 8 descriptor where the majority of sentences are error-free.

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