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 prefer established routines for stability, others enjoy experimenting with new things. In my view, embracing novelty is more beneficial because it adds excitement to life, broaden people's perspectives and enrich their experiences.

On the one hand, exploring new experiences, such as visiting unfamiliar places and trying different types of food, can bring adventure into people’s lives. More importantly, these activities can help individuals to escape the monotony of daily life. 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. Therefore, people who actively seek novelty may benefit not only from greater excitement but also from a broader understanding of the world.

On the other hand, stability is equally 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, I believe embracing new experiences is more beneficial because it can alleviate daily boredom, increase cultural awareness and broaden people's understanding of the world. Therefore, people should make greater efforts to explore unfamiliar experiences regularly in order to develop their personality, enrich their lives and experience excitement.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

You have fully addressed all parts of the task by discussing both attitudes towards novelty and familiarity, while clearly stating and maintaining your own opinion throughout the essay. Your position is well-supported by relevant examples, such as travelling to a new country and ordering comfort food after a demanding week. The ideas are extended effectively and logically, meeting the criteria for a Band 8.0.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

Your essay demonstrates a clear logical organization and progression from introduction through the body paragraphs to the conclusion. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately, with each paragraph focusing on a distinct central theme. Cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand', 'On the other hand', and 'Furthermore' are used flexibly and guide the reader smoothly through your arguments, reflecting a strong Band 7.5 to 8.0 level of coherence.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You utilize a sufficient and flexible range of vocabulary suitable for the task, successfully incorporating less common lexical items such as 'monotony', 'uncertainty', and 'comfort food'. There is a minor slip in the introduction where you wrote 'broaden people's perspectives and enrich', which lacks parallel form (it should be 'broaden... and enrich'). However, your vocabulary choice is generally precise and appropriate, meriting a solid Band 7.0.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

You demonstrate good control of grammar and punctuation, employing a variety of complex structures effectively, such as conditional and participial clauses ('Given the uncertainty that people often face...'). There is a minor grammatical slip in the introduction with subject-verb agreement: 'broaden people's perspectives' should match the plural or be correctly inflected as 'broadens'. Nevertheless, the majority of your sentences are error-free and complex structures are handled well, warranting a Band 7.5.

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