Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-09-17

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 raised on the belief that they can achieve all their dreams by working hard enough. This can produce ambitious generations that dream big and work efficiently and tirelessly to achieve their dreams. Furthermore, it can lead to unprecedented developments in societies. However, not setting a limit for ambitions can often lead to unrealisitc goals that can pressure, exhaust and crush children's hopes.

On the one hand, children are creative and often aspire to greatness. Not suppressing their creativity and encouraging them to dream big can yield unprecedented results. Moreover, it can motivate them to work hard if they think that achieving their goals is possible. For instance, many medical students at the university that I study at credit their parents for the constant support that helped them achieve their childhood dream of joining the faculty of medicine. Furthermore, allowing children to dream and believe that their dreams are attainable can help unlock and grow their talents. For example, many world class football players had poor childhood, struggling to obtain their basic needs, they only had the talent and the ambition of becoming a professional football player and many of them were able to achieve their dream due to the ideology that hard work makes dreams possible.

On the other hand, limitless ambitions and unrealistic dreams can prove harmful. Many children have unrealistic dreams that cannot be obtained either due to the difficult situauion they live in or due to the nature of their goals being impossible to avhieve. This can have severe implications on children's self esteem and personality development, ranging from losing interest in their hobbies to developing hatred to the people that made them bellieve that they can achieve anything they want. Furthermore, children who grow up believing that can become naive adults that lack rational thinking, which can halt the progression of societies.

In summary, I believe that ambition is important, having dreams and setting goals to achieve those dreams is absolutely pivotal. However, having bounderies and rational thinking is also crucial and must be taught to children in order to protect their self esteem and personality. A balanced method is the best and most fruitful option.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response successfully addresses all parts of the prompt by discussing both the advantages and disadvantages of teaching children that they can achieve anything with hard work. A clear position is maintained throughout the essay and reaffirmed in the conclusion. The ideas are well extended and supported with relevant examples, such as the mention of medical students and professional football players. The arguments are logically connected to the central theme, presenting a balanced view of ambition. The task is fully covered, demonstrating a clear understanding of the societal and psychological implications of this cultural ideology.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The essay displays a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Information and ideas are coherently structured, moving smoothly from the introduction to distinct body paragraphs addressing advantages and disadvantages, and finally to a well-balanced conclusion. A range of cohesive devices is used, such as 'Furthermore', 'On the one hand', 'On the other hand', and 'For instance'. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately, with each paragraph having a clear central topic. Referencing is generally clear, though occasional minor slip-ups in connective flow do not disrupt the overall readability.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

The writer demonstrates a sufficient range of vocabulary for flexibility and precision, attempting less common lexical items such as 'unprecedented developments', 'suppressing their creativity', 'pivotal', and 'bounderies' (though misspelled). While there are some minor word-choice and spelling errors—such as 'unrealisitc', 'situauion', 'avhieve', and 'bellieve'—these errors do not impede communication. The use of phrases like 'unlocked and grow their talents' and 'severe implications' shows an awareness of collocation and style, aligning well with the Band 7 descriptor.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The response features a good variety of complex sentence structures, such as conditional ideas, relative clauses, and participial phrases (e.g., 'struggling to obtain their basic needs'). There are frequent error-free sentences, and the writer demonstrates good control of grammar and punctuation overall. However, a few minor errors persist, such as missing prepositions or pronouns ('believing that can become naive adults'), punctuation lapses, and typographical errors. These errors are occasional and do not impede the communication of complex ideas, placing the response solidly in the Band 7 category.

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