Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-09-17

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)

The debate on whether people should embrace unfamiliar things or continue familiar practices is contentious. While some people are always excited to experimenting things because they are adventurous, other people prefer sticking to the same old routines and places as it provides stability in their lives. In my view, stepping out of comfort zone occasionally can add some excitement to life while continuing similar routines helps maintain stability.

On the one hand, proponents of novelty maintain that exploring new things, such as visiting new places and trying new types of food, can add adventure to people's lives. It is a constructive way to escape the monotony of daily life and rekindle fading relationships. Furthermore, travelling to new destinations and experimenting new cuisines enhances knowledge and enriches life experiences. For example, travelling to a new country every time offers an opportunity to gain insight into a new culture and gain memorable experiences.

On the other hand, supporters of familiarity argue that it is highly important to have stability in life. This is because, with so much uncertainty in life, practicing familiar routines and visiting known places provides some peace. For instance, people order their favourite comfort food on weekends after a demanding week to avoid any surprises. Some people, particularly older people, are more comfortable with well-established routines and practices. Thus, known places, food and things can offer peace of mind in stressful lives.

In conclusion, although familiar things can offer comfort and peace, trying new things in life can eliminate the daily boredom and promote cultural awareness. Therefore, I believe people should make greater efforts to explore new things in life at least a few times a month to experience excitement and an adrenaline rush.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response addresses all parts of the task by discussing both attitudes towards trying new things versus sticking to familiar routines and clearly presenting a personal opinion. The position is maintained throughout the essay. The ideas are relevant and supported with examples, such as mentioning travel, food, and older people preferring established routines. However, some arguments could be extended further to reach a higher band level, as the development remains somewhat general rather than thoroughly explored. For instance, the discussion on psychological comfort could be expanded. Overall, the requirements of the task are well-satisfied, aligning closely with Band 7 descriptors.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The essay presents a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Each paragraph has a clear central topic, starting with an introduction that outlines both views and the writer's stance, followed by body paragraphs dedicated to each side, and a concise conclusion. Cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand', 'On the other hand', 'Furthermore', and 'In conclusion' are used effectively to guide the reader through the arguments. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately. While referencing is mostly clear, a few cohesive links feel slightly formulaic, keeping the response at a solid Band 7 level rather than higher.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The student demonstrates a sufficient range of vocabulary for the task, allowing for some flexibility and precision. Phrases like 'embrace unfamiliar things', 'escape the monotony', 'rekindle fading relationships', and 'peace of mind' show an attempt to use less common lexical items with a good awareness of collocation. However, there are minor inaccuracies in word choice and form, such as 'always excited to experimenting things' instead of 'experimenting with' or 'to experiment', and 'experimenting new cuisines'. Despite these occasional lapses, the vocabulary is adequate to convey the message clearly, fitting comfortably into the Band 6.5 to 7.0 range, warranting a 6.5.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The essay displays a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, including conditional and relative clauses. There is a good variety of grammatical forms used throughout the essay. However, there are some noticeable grammatical errors that prevent a higher score. For example, the phrase 'excited to experimenting things' contains an error with infinitive/gerund complementation. Additionally, articles and prepositions are occasionally misused. Despite these errors, the sentences are generally clear and communication is not impeded. The frequency and type of errors place this response firmly in the Band 6.5 category, showing good control mixed with recurring minor inaccuracies.

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

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