Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-09-29

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)

Some people prefer to experience new places, activities and types of food, whereas others feel more comfortable doing things they are already familiar with. This essay will discuss both attitudes, and I believe that trying new things is generally more beneficial, although familiar choices can sometimes provide comfort and convenience.

The primary reason why some people prefer new experiences is that they can learn and develop through them. Visiting unfamiliar places allows people to understand different cultures, lifestyles and traditions. Similarly, trying different types of food can introduce them to new flavours and eating habits. These experiences can also make life more interesting and prevent people from following the same routine every day. For example, a person who travels to another country may learn about its local traditions and become more open-minded after interacting with local people.

On the other hand, many people prefer familiar activities because they provide comfort and reduce uncertainty. Trying something new can sometimes be expensive, inconvenient or disappointing. For instance, someone who regularly eats at the same restaurant already knows the quality and taste of its food, whereas choosing an unfamiliar restaurant may result in an unpleasant experience. Similarly, people with busy lifestyles may prefer visiting places they already know because they do not need to spend time planning or adjusting to a new environment.

In my opinion, people should be willing to try new things whenever possible. Although familiar choices are useful when people want comfort or reliability, new experiences can provide valuable knowledge and create memorable experiences. A balanced approach is therefore practical: people can maintain some familiar habits while regularly exploring something new.

In conclusion, familiar activities offer comfort and convenience, while new experiences can provide learning opportunities and make life more interesting. I believe that trying new things is more beneficial when people are willing to accept a reasonable amount of uncertainty.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.0

The student has fully addressed all parts of the task by discussing both attitudes towards trying new things versus sticking to the familiar, and clearly stated their own opinion throughout the response. Ideas are well-developed and supported with relevant examples, such as travelling to another country to learn local traditions and choosing an unfamiliar restaurant versus a regular one. The position is consistent from the introduction through the body paragraphs to the conclusion. The response meets all the requirements of the prompt effectively, earning a strong band 7.0 descriptor match for fully covering all aspects with well-extended ideas.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0

The text demonstrates clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Each paragraph has a clear central topic, starting with a well-formulated introduction, followed by balanced body paragraphs addressing each side of the argument, a nuanced personal opinion, and a concise conclusion. Cohesive devices are used effectively and flexibly without being overly mechanical, as seen in transitions like 'Similarly', 'On the other hand', and 'In my opinion'. Paragraphing is used logically and appropriately to separate distinct ideas, meeting the criteria for a solid band 7.0 score in coherence and cohesion.

Lexical Resource: Band 7.0

The student demonstrates a sufficient range of vocabulary with good flexibility and precision. Less common lexical items are used appropriately, such as 'unfamiliar', 'open-minded', 'uncertainty', and 'convenience'. Word choices and collocations are generally natural and precise, for instance, 'reduce uncertainty' and 'adjusting to a new environment'. While the vocabulary is not overly sophisticated or rare enough for a higher band, it is entirely adequate for the task and allows the writer to convey precise meanings without any errors in spelling or word formation.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 7.0

The writing exhibits a good variety of complex sentence structures, including conditional and subordinate clauses such as 'The primary reason why some people prefer new experiences is that they can learn and develop through them' and 'Although familiar choices are useful...'. There are frequent error-free sentences, and the overall control of grammar and punctuation is strong. Minor slips are virtually non-existent, and the grammar never impedes communication. The control shown across both simple and complex structures aligns comfortably with the band 7.0 descriptors.

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