Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-09-06
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 trying new experiences. While some people enjoy visiting unfamiliar places and tasting different types of food, others prefer to continue doing things that they already know. This essay will discuss both perspectives, and I believe that trying new things is generally more beneficial.
On the one hand, there are several reasons why people prefer familiar experiences. Firstly, familiar activities provide a sense of comfort and security because people know what to expect. For example, someone who regularly eats the same food may continue choosing it because they already know that they enjoy its taste. Secondly, visiting familiar places can be less stressful and more convenient. People do not need to spend much time researching accommodation, transportation or local facilities. This can be particularly important for individuals who have busy lifestyles or limited budgets.
On the other hand, trying new things can provide people with valuable experiences and help them become more open-minded. Travelling to different countries, for instance, gives individuals an opportunity to experience new cultures, traditions and lifestyles. Similarly, trying unfamiliar food can introduce people to new flavours and eating habits. In my own experience, visiting new places has helped me understand different cultures and become more confident when communicating with people from different backgrounds. Moreover, new experiences can create memorable moments that people can enjoy for many years.
In conclusion, although sticking to familiar activities can offer comfort, convenience and less uncertainty, I believe that trying new things is more rewarding. It allows people to gain knowledge, develop confidence and experience different aspects of life. Therefore, people should occasionally step outside their comfort zone and explore something new.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 8.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.5 |
| Overall | 7.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5
The response addresses all parts of the prompt effectively. You have clearly discussed both attitudes—the preference for familiarity and the benefits of trying new things—and provided a clear personal opinion in the introduction and conclusion. The ideas are well-developed, particularly the points regarding comfort and security versus personal growth and cultural understanding. The examples provided, such as the mention of travel and food, are relevant and support your arguments logically. To reach a higher band, you could further extend the discussion by exploring the potential downsides of trying new things or the limitations of staying within one's comfort zone to provide a more nuanced analysis.
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 smooth, using appropriate cohesive devices like 'On the one hand' and 'On the other hand'. The use of linking words such as 'Firstly', 'Secondly', 'Similarly', and 'Moreover' helps guide the reader through your arguments. Paragraphing is used effectively to separate the different perspectives. The flow is natural, and the relationship between ideas is consistently clear throughout the text.
Lexical Resource — Band 7.0
You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with precision. Phrases like 'sense of comfort and security', 'open-minded', and 'step outside their comfort zone' are used accurately and naturally. While the vocabulary is appropriate and conveys your meaning well, it is generally functional rather than sophisticated. To achieve a higher band, you could incorporate more precise or less common collocations and idiomatic expressions to demonstrate a wider, more flexible range of lexical resources.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5
The essay displays a good command of grammatical structures. You use a mix of simple and complex sentences effectively, such as the conditional structure 'someone who regularly eats the same food may continue choosing it because they already know that they enjoy its taste'. Punctuation is accurate, and there are no significant errors that impede communication. The majority of your sentences are error-free. To improve further, you could experiment with a greater variety of complex grammatical forms, such as inversion or more advanced passive constructions, to showcase higher-level control.
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