Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · 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 8.0)

Whether individuals should actively seek out novel experiences—such as visiting unfamiliar destinations and sampling exotic cuisines—or remain attached to comfortable routines is a subject of ongoing discussion. While adhering to familiar habits provides emotional security and guarantees satisfaction, I firmly believe that stepping beyond one's comfort zone is essential for personal growth and cultural enrichment.

On the one hand, maintaining familiar habits offers distinct practical and psychological advantages. When people choose well-known holiday destinations or stick to a accustomed diet, they effectively eliminate the risk of disappointment or wasted resources. For instance, dining at a familiar restaurant guarantees a predictable level of food quality and service, whereas trying an unfamiliar eatery carries the risk of a sub-par experience. Furthermore, adhering to established routines conserves mental energy and reduces daily anxiety, allowing individuals to feel grounded and secure in their choices. Consequently, many people view predictability as a necessary strategy for maintaining peace of mind in an increasingly chaotic world.

On the other hand, embracing novelty yields profound long-term benefits that far outweigh the comfort of routine. Exposing oneself to new environments and cuisines broadens cognitive horizons and fosters adaptability. When traveling to a foreign country or trying unfamiliar dishes, individuals are compelled to engage with different traditions, which builds intercultural competence and open-mindedness. Moreover, trying new activities stimulates creativity and creates memorable life experiences. Without the willingness to venture into the unknown, people risk intellectual stagnation and miss out on discovering new passions that could enrich their lives.

In conclusion, although sticking to familiar activities ensures reliability and minimizes stress, I am convinced that actively seeking out new experiences is far more beneficial. Embracing novelty ultimately enhances personal development, expands global perspectives, and leads to a more fulfilling life.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 8.0

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt by discussing both attitudes towards novelty versus familiarity and providing a clear, well-supported personal opinion throughout the essay. The introduction clearly outlines the writer's stance, and each body paragraph explores distinct viewpoints with relevant extensions and examples. For instance, the discussion on predictability provides concrete scenarios like 'dining at a familiar restaurant,' while the counter-argument expertly details how 'visiting a foreign country' fosters intercultural competence. The ideas are thoroughly developed and logically sustained, meeting all the requirements for a high band score.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 8.0

The essay demonstrates a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Information and ideas are coherently sequenced, moving smoothly from the introduction to the balanced body paragraphs and a concise conclusion. Cohesive devices are used effectively and flexibly without being obtrusive, as seen with transition words like 'Furthermore,' 'Consequently,' and 'Moreover.' Paragraphing is managed logically and appropriately, with each paragraph focusing on a distinct central theme, such as the advantages of routine or the benefits of embracing novelty.

Lexical Resource: Band 8.0

The student displays a wide, fluent, and flexible lexical range suitable for an advanced response. Less common vocabulary items and collocations are used skillfully and naturally throughout the text, including phrases such as 'emotional security,' 'intercultural competence,' 'intellectual stagnation,' and 'global perspectives.' Word choice is generally precise and appropriate, though there is one minor slip ('a accustomed diet' instead of 'an accustomed diet'), which represents only an occasional inaccuracy that does not impede communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 8.0

The essay features a wide range of complex grammatical structures used with a high degree of accuracy. The majority of sentences are error-free, demonstrating excellent control over subordination, relative clauses, and participial phrases, as exemplified by 'Without the willingness to venture into the unknown, people risk intellectual stagnation...' Minor mechanical slips, such as the missing 'n' in 'a accustomed diet,' are very rare and do not affect overall comprehension or readability. Punctuation is used correctly to support the flow of ideas.

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