Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-08-31

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 7.0)

Some people like trying new experiences such as visiting unfamiliar places or eating different kinds of food, while others prefer to stick to activities and choices they already know. Both activities have advantages, although I believe that trying new things is generally more beneficial.

On the one hand, people who prefer familiar experiences often value comfort and security. Doing the same activities and visiting the same places means that there are fewer chances to deal with unexpected problems. For example, someone may prefer eating at their favourite restaurant because they already know that they enjoy the food and can relax without worrying about the flavours or making a poor choice. Similarly, returning to a familiar holiday destination can be less stressful than travelling somewhere completely unknown. This attitude can be particularly to busy people who simply want to relax in their free time rather than wasting time on planning new things.

On the other hand, trying new things can provide valuable opportunities for learning and personal development. Travelling to unfamiliar places, for instance, allows people to experience new different cultures, traditions, and ways of life. Trying new types of food can also help people become more open-minded and willing to appreciate differences.

In my opinion, although there is nothing wrong with enjoying familiar activities, people should occasionally step outside their comfort zone. Trying something new does not always have to involve a major change, even visiting a new restaurant or exploring a different part of one's city can make a life more interesting. It can help people become more confident and adaptable.

In conclusion, choosing familiar experiences offers comfort and reduces uncertainty, whereas trying new things can lead to learning, enjoyment and personal growth. I believe that a balance between the two is ideal, but people should make an effort to experience new things whenever possible.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, discussing both attitudes towards new experiences and familiar routines, while clearly stating your own opinion. The ideas are relevant and logically developed. You provide clear examples, such as the preference for familiar restaurants to avoid stress, and the benefits of travel for personal growth. The position is consistent throughout the essay. To reach a higher band, you could further extend the development of your arguments by exploring the potential downsides of being too adventurous or the long-term psychological benefits of routine in more depth, rather than keeping the explanations relatively brief.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is well-organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between the two viewpoints is smooth, using appropriate cohesive devices like 'On the one hand' and 'On the other hand'. The conclusion effectively summarizes the main points and restates your position. The use of referencing is generally clear, though some cohesive links could be more varied to avoid a slightly mechanical feel. Overall, the paragraphing is logical and contributes to the clarity of the argument.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with precision. Phrases like 'step outside their comfort zone' and 'open-minded' are used effectively. There are some minor issues with collocation, such as 'can be particularly to busy people' (should be 'particularly relevant to' or 'particularly beneficial for'). While the vocabulary is adequate and allows for clear communication, incorporating more sophisticated or less common lexical items would help elevate the score. The spelling is accurate throughout the text.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The essay displays a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. You use subordinating conjunctions effectively to create complex sentences, such as 'although I believe that trying new things is generally more beneficial.' Most sentences are error-free, and the grammar does not impede communication. There are a few minor slips, such as 'can make a life more interesting' (should be 'make life more interesting') and the aforementioned preposition error. Overall, your control of grammar is strong, and you demonstrate the ability to use a variety of structures with good accuracy.

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

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