Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-09-01

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)

**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.**

People have different attitudes towards trying new experiences. While some individuals enjoy visiting unfamiliar places and tasting different kinds of food, others feel more comfortable doing things they already know and enjoy. This essay will discuss both perspectives, and I believe that trying new things is generally more beneficial.

On the one hand, many people prefer familiar experiences because they provide comfort, safety and predictability. For example, someone who regularly eats the same food may choose it because they already know that they enjoy its taste and that it will not cause any unpleasant surprises. Similarly, people may prefer visiting places they have been to before because they know the surroundings and can avoid the stress of planning an unfamiliar trip. This attitude can be particularly appealing to people who have busy lifestyles and want to relax rather than deal with uncertainty.

On the other hand, trying new things can provide people with valuable experiences and opportunities to learn. Travelling to unfamiliar places, for instance, allows individuals to understand different cultures, meet new people and develop a broader perspective on the world. Likewise, trying different types of food can introduce people to new flavours and cultural traditions. In addition, experiencing unfamiliar situations can help individuals become more confident and adaptable. For example, a person who travels alone to a new country may initially feel nervous, but the experience can make them more independent.

In my opinion, although staying with familiar choices is comfortable and sometimes practical, people should regularly try new things. This does not mean that they need to make major changes to their lives; even small experiences, such as visiting a new restaurant or exploring a nearby town, can be enjoyable and educational. Personally, I believe that being open to new experiences makes life more interesting and helps people develop useful skills.

In conclusion, some people prefer familiar activities because they offer comfort and reduce uncertainty, whereas others enjoy new experiences because they provide opportunities for learning and personal growth. I believe that trying new things is the better approach, provided that people make sensible choices and do not take unnecessary risks.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You have clearly discussed both attitudes—the preference for familiarity and the benefits of trying new things—and provided a clear, consistent personal opinion throughout the essay. The ideas are well-developed and supported with relevant examples, such as the mention of busy lifestyles for those who prefer routine and the personal growth associated with solo travel. The position is maintained from the introduction through to the conclusion, demonstrating a strong grasp of the task requirements.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between the two viewpoints is handled effectively using standard cohesive devices like 'On the one hand' and 'On the other hand'. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different stages of your argument. The flow of information is smooth, and referencing is clear throughout the text, making the essay very easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with precision. Phrases like 'unpleasant surprises', 'broader perspective', and 'sensible choices' are used accurately. While the vocabulary is generally natural and appropriate for the context, it stays within a fairly standard range. To reach a higher band, you could incorporate more sophisticated, less common collocations or idiomatic expressions to demonstrate greater flexibility and precision in your word choice.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The essay displays a good variety of complex sentence structures, such as the use of conditional clauses ('provided that people make...') and subordinate clauses ('although staying with familiar choices is comfortable...'). The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation and tense usage is strong. There are no significant grammatical errors that impede communication, and the writing is consistently accurate throughout the response.

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.