Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-09-02
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)
Change is an integral part of growth and development. some individuals prefers to explore new things while others opt out for the familiar things. Although both of the approaches have their own merits, I firmly believe that trying new experiences is more beneficial.
On one hand, new experiences can make people grow out of their comfort zone and be more confident and adaptable. They will broaden their horizons while visiting unfamiliar places and they will get to explore distinctive cultures and lifestyles. For instance, a person who spends their holidays at the unfamiliar places will tend to be more confident and adventures.
on the other hand, individuals prefers keep doings similar things are choosing comfort and security. People likes the familiar destinations because it will require less planning and it will be more convenient. For example, many people will go to the similar restraunt to have their favourite meal rather than going to some unknown place where they might not like the taste. In my opinion everyone should experience something out of the box rather than sticking to the same routine.
In conclusion, I strongly believes that stepping outside is necessary for their personal growth and well being. =
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response addresses both sides of the argument and provides a clear personal opinion. However, the essay is significantly under the 250-word minimum requirement, which severely limits the depth of development. The ideas are introduced but lack sufficient supporting examples or detailed explanation. For instance, the point about 'comfort and security' is mentioned but not fully explored. Because the response is only 199 words, it fails to meet the basic length requirement, which prevents it from reaching a higher band score for task achievement. To improve, you must expand your arguments with more detailed examples and analysis to meet the word count.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, with an introduction, two body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Cohesive devices such as 'On one hand', 'On the other hand', and 'In conclusion' are used to signal the structure. However, the progression of ideas is somewhat mechanical, and the limited length makes the overall flow feel abrupt. While the paragraphing is appropriate, the lack of sufficient supporting sentences makes the cohesion feel thin. To improve, ensure that each paragraph contains a clear topic sentence followed by multiple supporting sentences that elaborate on the main point.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task but lacks variety and precision. You use basic terms like 'new things', 'familiar things', and 'good'. There are some minor errors, such as 'adventures' (should be 'adventurous') and 'restraunt' (spelling error). The range of vocabulary is limited, and there is little attempt to use less common or more sophisticated lexical items. To improve, try to incorporate more precise synonyms and topic-specific vocabulary related to personal development and lifestyle choices to demonstrate a wider range of language.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The essay contains several grammatical errors, particularly with subject-verb agreement (e.g., 'some individuals prefers', 'people likes', 'I strongly believes'). There are also issues with article usage and word forms, such as 'at the unfamiliar places'. While you attempt some complex structures, they are often marred by these frequent errors. The range of structures is limited, relying mostly on simple or compound sentences. To improve, focus on proofreading your work to correct basic agreement errors and practice using a wider variety of complex sentence structures, such as relative clauses or conditional sentences.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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