Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.5 · 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 7.5)
The debate over whether people should embrace unfamiliar experiences or continue with familiar practices is contentious. While some people are eager to experiment with new things because they are adventurous, others prefer sticking to established routines and familiar places because these provide stability in their lives. In my view, embracing novelty can add excitement to life, whereas maintaining familiar routines can provide comfort and stability.
On the one hand, proponents of novelty maintain that exploring new experiences, such as visiting unfamiliar places and trying different types of food, can bring adventure into 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 sampling different cuisines can broaden people’s knowledge and enrich their life experiences. For example, travelling to a new country can provide an opportunity to gain insight into a different culture while creating memorable experiences.
On the other hand, supporters of familiarity argue that stability is highly important in life. Given the uncertainty that people often face, following familiar routines and visiting known places can provide a sense of comfort and peace. For instance, after a demanding week, people may order their favourite comfort food at the weekend because they know what to expect and can therefore avoid unnecessary surprises. Some individuals, particularly older people, may also feel more comfortable with well-established routines and practices. Thus, familiar places, foods and activities can provide peace of mind in otherwise stressful lives.
In conclusion, although familiar things can offer comfort and stability, trying new experiences can alleviate daily boredom and increase cultural awareness. Therefore, I believe people should make greater efforts to explore unfamiliar experiences regularly in order to break the monotony of everyday life and cultivate a greater sense of excitement.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 8.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 8.0 |
| Overall | 7.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0
The response fully addresses all parts of the task by discussing both attitudes towards novelty and familiarity, while also presenting a clear and well-developed personal opinion. In the body paragraphs, the writer provides relevant examples and well-reasoned arguments, such as exploring how novelty can escape daily monotony and how familiarity provides comfort and peace of mind during stressful times. The introduction and conclusion successfully frame the discussion and reaffirm the stance taken. Ideas are well-supported throughout, demonstrating a strong understanding of the prompt requirements. The position is maintained consistently from start to finish.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5
The essay displays clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Ideas are structured logically, with each paragraph focusing on a distinct aspect of the prompt: introduction, novelty, familiarity, and conclusion. Cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand', 'On the other hand', 'Furthermore', and 'Thus' are used effectively to guide the reader through the arguments without being overly mechanical or intrusive. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately, ensuring each central theme is clearly delineated and developed. Referencing and substitution are handled smoothly across sentences.
Lexical Resource — Band 7.0
The student demonstrates a sufficient and flexible range of vocabulary suited to the task, including less common items and collocations such as 'embrace unfamiliar experiences', 'monotony of daily life', 'rekindle fading relationships', and 'peace of mind'. Word choice is generally precise and natural, allowing the arguments to be conveyed with clarity. There are only occasional minor inaccuracies or less-than-perfect collocations, but these do not impede communication at all. Spelling and word formation are entirely accurate throughout the response.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0
The response features a wide range of complex sentence structures, including conditional-like clauses, participial phrases, and subordinate clauses (e.g., 'While some people are eager to experiment...'). The majority of sentences are error-free, showcasing a high level of grammatical control and punctuation. Although a few minor structural slips might occur occasionally, they do not cause any difficulty for the reader or obscure the intended meaning. Tense consistency and subject-verb agreement are maintained to a high standard across the entire text.
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