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 experiment with new 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, embracing novelty 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 trying 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
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.0 |
| Overall | 7.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0
The student addresses all parts of the task well, discussing both attitudes toward new things versus familiarity and providing a clear personal opinion in the introduction and conclusion. The ideas are relevant and supported with examples, such as trying new cuisines or ordering comfort food on weekends to avoid surprises. The position is maintained throughout the essay. The response fully satisfies the requirements of Band 7, as all parts of the prompt are addressed with a clear stance and well-developed arguments, though the arguments could be extended further to reach a higher band.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0
There is a clear overall logical organization and progression throughout the essay. The response is divided into logical paragraphs, with an introduction, two body paragraphs representing opposing views, and a concluding paragraph. Cohesive devices are used reasonably well, such as 'On the one hand', 'On the other hand', and 'In conclusion'. Referencing is generally clear and effective. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately, ensuring the essay flows smoothly from one idea to the next. The management of cohesion aligns well with the Band 7 descriptors.
Lexical Resource — Band 7.0
The student demonstrates an adequate to sufficient range of vocabulary suitable for the task. Phrases like 'embrace unfamiliar things', 'escape the monotony of daily life', and 'peace of mind' show a good attempt at less common lexical items with an awareness of collocation. While there are a few slightly repetitive phrases like 'new things' and 'familiar things', the vocabulary used is precise enough to convey the intended meaning clearly without impeding communication. Spelling and word choice are generally accurate, placing this comfortably in the Band 7 category.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0
The student uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures effectively, including conditional and subordinate clauses such as 'While some people are always excited to experiment with new things because they are adventurous...' and 'This is because, with so much uncertainty in life...'. There is a good frequency of error-free sentences, and grammar and punctuation are handled with good control. Although minor inaccuracies or slight awkwardness may occasionally appear, they do not impede communication, matching the criteria for Band 7.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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