Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-10-10

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 5.5)

In today's world where every human is unique, there is an ongoing debate. On the one side individuals argue that they are open to new experiences while the other group wants to live life in ways they have always lived, by reapeating familiar things. In this essay, I will discuss both these views and share my opinion on why I prefer the former side.

The first group of people loves experiencing new things as it brings self discovery. Through new experiences people can find out what brings them true joy, so they can further introspect themselves and discover their real self. In addition, people want no regrets, life is short and full of uncertainity. This uncertainity cannot stop them from living the life to the fullest. A clear illustrtaion of this is people who go on solo trips. The trips help them get a crystal clear image of themsleves. An image that displays likes , dislikes and interests.

Conversely, the other group loves reliving the experiences they are not unkown to because of comfort zone. This comfort zone makes people more comfortable. They are able to find peace, when everything is under control. When everything is under control they know what to expectleaving no room for uncertainity. Additionally, the fear is what stops individuals from new experiences. The fear of one wrong thing could break their lives apart. For instance, anxious people hate new feelings. For them

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You introduce both attitudes and state a preference for trying new experiences, so the response is relevant to the question. The first view is supported with reasons such as self-discovery and avoiding regret, plus the example of solo trips. However, the discussion of familiar routines is less developed: comfort and fear are mentioned, but the final example beginning “For instance, anxious people…” is left unfinished. Your own opinion is announced but not explained beyond preferring “the former side,” and the response does not reach the required 250 words. These gaps mean the task is only partially addressed. Develop both sides more evenly, complete the example, and explain why your preferred attitude is more convincing.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, a paragraph for each attitude, and linking expressions such as “In addition” and “Conversely.” This helps the reader identify the main contrast. However, progression is incomplete because the second body paragraph stops at “For them,” leaving the example and the argument unfinished. Some connections are also repetitive or mechanical, particularly the repeated “When everything is under control” and “This comfort zone makes people more comfortable.” The solo-trip example is presented as a fragment rather than being smoothly integrated into the paragraph. Complete each paragraph with a clear concluding point, vary the linking language, and use pronouns or transitions to make relationships between ideas more precise.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You attempt a range of topic-related vocabulary, including “self discovery,” “introspect,” “uncertainity,” “comfort zone,” and “crystal clear image.” These choices show an effort to express abstract ideas about personal growth and security. However, several spelling errors and awkward or imprecise phrases reduce control, including “reapeating,” “illustrtaion,” “them sleves,” and “experiences they are not unkown to.” “Discover their real self” and “break their lives apart” are also not natural or precise in context. Aim for accurate, natural collocations and check spelling carefully. More precise wording will help you express the contrast between novelty and familiarity without relying on repeated words such as “comfortable” and “uncertainity.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You use both simple sentences and some attempts at more complex structures, such as “Through new experiences people can find out what brings them true joy, so they can further introspect themselves.” This gives the response some variety, and the main ideas are generally understandable. However, sentence control is uneven. The fragment “An image that displays likes, dislikes and interests” is not a complete sentence, and “For them” leaves the final sentence unfinished. In “people who go on solo trips,” the example is grammatically sound, but the surrounding punctuation and spacing need closer attention. Practise completing subordinate clauses and integrating examples into full sentences. More consistently accurate sentence boundaries and punctuation would make the argument easier to follow.

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