Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-08-27

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 7.5)

People have different attitudes towards experiencing new things. While some individuals enjoy trying unfamiliar foods, visiting new places and having different experiences, others prefer to stay with activities and choices that they already know. In my opinion, although both approaches have advantages, trying new things is more beneficial because it helps people learn and develop personally.

On the one hand, people who enjoy new experiences can gain valuable knowledge and become more open-minded. Travelling to unfamiliar places, for example, allows people to learn about different cultures, traditions and lifestyles. Similarly, trying different types of food can introduce people to new tastes and cultural practices. These experiences can also increase confidence because individuals have to adapt to unfamiliar situations. For instance, someone who travels to another country for the first time may initially feel nervous, but eventually they can become more independent and comfortable in different environments.

On the other hand, there are several reasons why some people prefer familiar activities. Doing things they already know can provide comfort and reduce stress. People are usually aware of what to expect when they visit their favourite restaurant, follow a familiar routine or travel to a place they have visited before. This can be particularly important for individuals who have busy or stressful lives. For example, after a demanding week at work, a person may prefer eating their usual meal and spending time in a familiar environment rather than dealing with something unfamiliar.

In conclusion, staying with familiar things can provide comfort and security, while trying new things can offer learning opportunities and personal growth. I believe people should be willing to experience new activities and places, as this can make their lives more interesting and help them become more confident and open-minded.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the task. You have discussed both attitudes—the preference for new experiences and the preference for familiar routines—and provided a clear personal opinion in the introduction and conclusion. The ideas are well-developed, with relevant examples such as travelling to new countries and the stress-reducing nature of familiar routines. The position is consistent throughout the essay. To reach a higher band, you could further extend the analysis by exploring the potential downsides of each approach in more depth, but the current level of development is sufficient for a strong score.

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 handled effectively using cohesive devices like 'On the one hand' and 'On the other hand'. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different arguments. The flow of information is smooth, and the referencing is clear throughout. The use of linking words is natural and not mechanical, contributing to a coherent and easy-to-follow argument.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with precision. Phrases like 'open-minded', 'cultural practices', and 'demanding week' are used accurately. While the vocabulary is appropriate and clear, it is mostly functional and lacks a high degree of sophistication or 'less common' lexical items that would characterize a band 8 or 9. However, there are no significant errors in word choice or collocation, and the language used is natural and fits the context well.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay displays a good variety of complex structures, such as conditional-like constructions ('someone who travels... may initially feel...') and subordinate clauses. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation and grammar is strong. There are no major errors that impede communication. To move into the higher bands, you could incorporate a wider variety of more complex grammatical structures, such as inversion or more sophisticated passive constructions, to demonstrate greater flexibility.

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

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