Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-09-05

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)

Technology has transformed almost every aspect of modern life, from communication and education to transportation and healthcare. Although many people argue that technology has made daily life more convenient, excessive dependence on it may undermine individuals’ ability to think critically and solve problems independently. In my opinion, technology is overwhelmingly beneficial, provided that it is used thoughtfully rather than as a substitute for human judgement.

On the one hand, technological advancements enable people to complete everyday tasks more quickly and accurately. Digital banking, navigation applications and online learning platforms, for example, save considerable time and provide immediate access to essential services and information. In the workplace, software can perform repetitive calculations and process large quantities of data, allowing employees to concentrate on more creative and demanding responsibilities. Technology can therefore improve productivity while also enabling individuals to make better-informed decisions.

On the other hand, relying too heavily on digital tools can gradually weaken certain practical and intellectual abilities. People who constantly use navigation applications may struggle to find their way without them, while students who depend on calculators or automatically generated answers may fail to develop fundamental mathematical and analytical skills. More importantly, accepting online information without questioning its reliability can prevent people from forming independent opinions. Nevertheless, this problem results primarily from the way technology is used rather than from technology itself. Schools and families can address it by encouraging individuals to evaluate information carefully and attempt problems independently before seeking digital assistance.

In conclusion, technology has undoubtedly made modern life easier and more efficient, despite the risk that overdependence may reduce people’s problem-solving abilities. Rather than rejecting technological tools, individuals should use them in moderation while continuing to develop critical thinking, creativity and independent judgement.

AI examiner evaluation

CriterionBand
Task Achievement / Task Response3.0
Coherence and Cohesion8.0
Lexical Resource8.0
Grammatical Range and Accuracy8.0
Overall7.0

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 3.0

The response is completely off-topic. The prompt asks for a discussion on the preference for trying new things versus sticking to familiar routines. However, the student has written an essay about the impact of technology on modern life. While the writing is coherent and well-structured, it fails to address the specific task requirements entirely. According to the IELTS criteria, a response that is off-topic must be penalized heavily in Task Achievement, as it does not address the prompt provided. Consequently, the score reflects the failure to engage with the actual question asked.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

Despite the essay being off-topic, the internal structure is excellent. The student uses clear paragraphing, logical sequencing, and a variety of cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand', 'On the other hand', and 'In conclusion'. Each paragraph has a clear central theme, and the progression of ideas within the context of the (incorrect) topic is smooth and easy to follow. The use of referencing and substitution is also handled with a high level of proficiency, demonstrating a strong grasp of discourse management.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.0

The vocabulary is sophisticated and used with precision. The student employs a wide range of topic-specific vocabulary such as 'technological advancements', 'repetitive calculations', 'fundamental mathematical and analytical skills', and 'overdependence'. The collocations are natural, and the tone is consistently academic and formal. There are no spelling errors, and the word choice is consistently accurate throughout the text, demonstrating a high level of lexical control that would be appropriate for a much higher band score if the content were relevant.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The grammatical range is impressive, featuring a variety of complex sentence structures, including conditional clauses ('provided that it is used...'), participial phrases, and well-managed subordinate clauses. The accuracy is very high, with the majority of sentences being error-free. Punctuation is used correctly to enhance clarity, and there is a sophisticated control over verb tenses and modal verbs. The writing flows naturally, and there are no grammatical slips that impede communication or distract the reader.

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