Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-08-22
IELTS Writing Task 2 question
Some people like to try new things, for example, places to visit and types of food. Other people prefer to keep doing things they are familiar with.
Discuss both these attitudes and give your own opinion.
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Student answer (Band 5.5)
People have different preferences of visiting many places. Some individuals like to try new things, for example, places to visit or types of food. However, other people prefer to keep doing the same thing they are familiar with. In my opinion, I think is beneficial to try new things because of learning or having new experience with people
One of the reasons why many people prefer visiting new locations is because they like adventure. They mostly like trying new things namely, exploring different kinds of foods, culture and locations. It gives them excitement and discovery. Another important reason is for personal growth. It is a way to boost they independent and confidence. It helps them to be self-aware of themselves. For example, there are people who travel to several countries for vacations and to try their foods.
On the other hand, others prefer to keep doing the same thing because of their comfort. They already know about the environments, accommodates, transport system. It helps them to relax more . Another reason is because they might have emotional connections with the usual place. Maybe, they might have gone with family and friend. For instance, some places might remind them of happy holidays with family or any special events.
In my opinion, it is more rewarding to go to an abstract locations from where you used to know experience new traditions, languages and lifestyles.
In conclusion, I think is better to visit new environment, try several delicacies or different locations outside what you already know because you get to learn many new things and meet new people.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response addresses all parts of the prompt, discussing both attitudes and providing a clear personal opinion. The ideas are relevant, such as the desire for adventure and personal growth versus the comfort of familiarity. However, the development of these ideas is somewhat limited. For instance, the point about 'personal growth' is mentioned but not fully explored with specific, detailed examples. The conclusion is a bit repetitive of the introduction. To reach a higher band, you should aim to expand on your arguments with more depth and specific, illustrative examples rather than just listing reasons.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organized into clear paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the progression of ideas. You use some cohesive devices like 'On the other hand' and 'In conclusion' to signal shifts in the argument. However, the use of cohesive devices is sometimes mechanical or slightly repetitive. Additionally, some transitions between sentences within paragraphs are abrupt. Improving the flow by using a wider variety of linking words and ensuring that each sentence logically follows the previous one would enhance the overall coherence of your writing.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary used is generally adequate for the task, allowing you to express your ideas clearly. You use some topic-specific vocabulary like 'delicacies', 'traditions', and 'lifestyles'. However, there are some inaccuracies in word choice and collocation, such as 'boost they independent' (should be 'boost their independence') and 'abstract locations' (which is not the correct term for 'unfamiliar' or 'new' places). To improve, focus on learning collocations and using more precise vocabulary to convey your meaning more naturally.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
You demonstrate a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is generally clear, there are frequent grammatical errors, such as 'I think is beneficial' (missing 'it'), 'boost they independent' (incorrect pronoun and word form), and 'accommodates' (incorrect noun form for 'accommodation'). These errors do not impede communication, but they are noticeable. To achieve a higher band, focus on subject-verb agreement, correct word forms, and ensuring that your complex sentences are constructed accurately without missing subjects or auxiliary verbs.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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