Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-09-22

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 5.0)

In the present era, children are working very hard to fulfill their dreams. This is a good thing that they focus on their future more rather than on any other things. There has been a growing concern about that from the ancient time or in some cultures, children are getting taught about that if they work hard then they will achieve all things in their life. This essay will discuss both perspectives.

First of all, many schools have change their teaching style. Because with the inventions of modern technology and devices, it can be easy to teach them and solve their doubts. Children are also engaging with this new development

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 4.0

The response fails to meet the minimum length requirement of 250 words, stopping abruptly at only 110 words. Furthermore, the content strays significantly from the prompt. While the prompt asks about the advantages and disadvantages of telling children they can achieve anything through hard work, the student introduces irrelevant ideas about modern technology and changing school teaching styles in the second paragraph, specifically writing: 'First of all, many schools have change their teaching style. Because with the inventions of modern technology and devices...'. Due to severe under-length and a lack of proper development regarding the actual prompt question, the task is only addressed minimally, falling under Band 4.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The text begins with a discernible introduction, attempting to outline the topic and state that the essay will discuss both perspectives. However, the progression breaks down immediately in the second paragraph with the abrupt shift to technology, and the essay cuts off mid-sentence ('Children are also engaging with this new development'). Paragraphing is attempted, but because the response is incomplete and the logical links between ideas fail, the overall organization suffers. Cohesive devices are minimal and somewhat mechanical ('First of all'). Overall, the structural coherence matches a Band 5 level.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The student demonstrates a basic working vocabulary with some attempts at slightly more complex phrases such as 'fulfill their dreams' and 'growing concern'. However, the lexical range is quite limited and repetitive. There are also noticeable word choice and collocation issues, such as 'focus on their future more rather than on any other things' and 'children are getting taught'. While communication is not entirely blocked in the opening sentences, the vocabulary remains restricted and basic, fitting a Band 5 profile.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The writer attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as the relative clause in 'children who work hard...'. However, grammatical accuracy is weak. There are noticeable errors including tense misuse ('many schools have change their teaching style' instead of 'changed') and awkward passive constructions ('children are getting taught'). Punctuation and sentence boundaries are also affected in the fragmented second paragraph. Because complex structures often lead to errors and the range is limited, the grammar aligns with Band 5.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.