Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-08-25
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 8.0)
People have different opinions regarding how they live their lives. Some individuals enjoy trying new activities, foods, and visiting new places, while others prefer to stick to things they already know. This essay will discuss both viewpoints, but I personally believe that trying new things is far more beneficial.
On the one hand, many people prefer familiar routines because it offers them comfort and safety. When people visit the same holiday destinations or eat foods they already like, there is no risk of making a bad choice or wasting money. In addition, sticking to familiar habits helps reduce daily stress. For example, after a long and stressful work term, many families prefer to go to the same beach resort every year because they already know the services are good and they can easily relax without any unwanted surprises.
On the other hand, exploring new experiences can expand a person's knowledge and understanding of the world. Trying different international cuisines or traveling to foreign countries exposes people to unique cultures and lifestyles. This helps individuals become more open-minded and adaptable to change. Furthermore, stepping out of one's comfort zone builds confidence. For instance, traveling to a place where people speak a different language forces travelers to solve problems independently, which makes them more self-reliant in the long run.
In my opinion, although having familiar routines can make life easy and comfortable, I believe that life becomes boring without variety. Trying new things brings excitement, creates lasting memories, and helps people grow as individuals.
In conclusion, while staying within one's comfort zone provides stability and peace of mind, I firmly believe that people should actively seek out new experiences to live a more fulfilling life.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 8.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 8.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 8.0 |
| Overall | 8.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0
The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You have clearly discussed both viewpoints—the preference for familiar routines and the benefits of trying new things—and provided a clear, consistent personal opinion throughout the essay. The ideas are well-developed with relevant examples, such as the mention of beach resorts for comfort and the challenges of traveling to foreign countries for personal growth. The position is maintained from the introduction through to the conclusion, demonstrating a logical and balanced approach to the task.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0
The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central topic, and the transition between the two viewpoints is smooth, using effective signposting language like 'On the one hand' and 'On the other hand'. Cohesive devices are used appropriately and naturally to link sentences and ideas, such as 'In addition,' 'Furthermore,' and 'For instance.' Paragraphing is used effectively to separate the different stages of your argument, making the text easy to follow and coherent throughout.
Lexical Resource — Band 7.0
You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary that is appropriate for the task. You use topic-specific terms such as 'familiar routines,' 'international cuisines,' 'open-minded,' and 'self-reliant' effectively. While the vocabulary is accurate and conveys your meaning clearly, it is generally functional rather than highly sophisticated. To reach a higher band, you could incorporate more precise collocations or less common idiomatic expressions to add nuance to your arguments. However, the current range is sufficient to express your ideas with precision and flexibility.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0
The essay displays a good variety of complex sentence structures, such as the use of conditional and concessive clauses (e.g., 'although having familiar routines can make life easy...'). The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation and grammar is strong. There are no significant errors that impede communication. The writing is fluent and demonstrates a high level of accuracy, which is consistent with the requirements for a high band score in this criterion.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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