Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-10-13

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 6.0)

In this contemporary world, people have different opinions regarding trying new things. Some people like to explore new places and taste new dishes, while others prefer to do things that they are already aware of it. Therefore, ahead of my opinion, we will discuss both viewpoints with relevant examples in the ensuing paragraphs.

Examining the former opinion, the primary arguments the supporters would put forward are that people like to do something familiar because they have enough knowledge about it and they are comfortable doing such things. For example, people who spent their last holiday in Montreal like to go again to the same place because they know about it surroundings, such as hotels to stay, tourist attractions, and restaurants. Additionally, familiar places make people feel safe when traveling because they do not fear getting lost in an area without any maps. Besides this, trying the same dishes multiple times can be a safer option than trying unusual flavours.

On the contrary, those in favour of the latter opinion have their own arguments. To begin with, they claim that experiencing different places and food teaches people about different culture and their lifestyles. For instance, travelling to unknown places gives people an opportunity to meet different people and learn about their culture as well as their traditional dishes. Moreover, new activities can help people to develop confidence and their interests. For example, people who have tried hiking for the first time may develop a new hobby.

Taking everything into consideration and offering my position, there are convincing arguments both for and against. However, I certainly favour the latter opinion. This is because it offers more advantages and brings positive effects in the long run.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You address both attitudes and state a clear preference for trying new things: “I certainly favour the latter opinion.” The examples about returning to Montreal, learning about other cultures, and discovering hiking help make the discussion relevant. However, the first viewpoint is introduced inaccurately: the paragraph says its supporters prefer familiar activities, but the opening sentence calls this the “former opinion” after describing both positions in the opposite order. Also, the reasons are not developed equally. The benefits of familiarity are explained in some detail, while your own preference is supported mainly by broad claims about advantages and positive effects. Explain more specifically why these benefits matter, perhaps with a concrete personal or social outcome, to make the response more fully developed.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a clear overall structure: an introduction, separate paragraphs for the two attitudes, and a concluding opinion. Linking expressions such as “For example,” “Moreover,” and “Taking everything into consideration” help signal relationships between ideas. However, some cohesion is mechanical, and the labels “former” and “latter” are confusing because the first body paragraph discusses familiarity even though the opening presents trying new things first. The phrase “ahead of my opinion” also makes the introduction’s progression unclear. Use direct references such as “people who prefer familiar experiences” and “those who enjoy trying new things,” and make the conclusion briefly recap the main reason for your preference. This would make the progression easier to follow.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use an adequate range of vocabulary for the topic, including “tourist attractions,” “traditional dishes,” “develop confidence,” and “long run.” These choices communicate the main ideas, and you attempt some more formal expressions such as “supporters would put forward.” At times, however, word choice or collocation is inaccurate or awkward: “aware of it” does not naturally express familiarity, “about it surroundings” is incorrect, and “different culture” needs a more suitable form. Some phrases, including “offering my position” and “positive effects,” are also vague or formulaic. Aim for precise, natural combinations and avoid repeating general terms such as “things” and “places”; for example, specify experiences, destinations, or activities where appropriate.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.5

You use a mix of simple and complex structures, including subordinate clauses with “because,” relative clauses such as “people who have tried hiking,” and a contrastive opening, “On the contrary.” Most sentences remain understandable, and errors rarely obscure your meaning. Some grammatical inaccuracies persist, however. In “people … are already aware of it,” the pronoun structure is faulty; “they know about it surroundings” has an incorrect possessive form; and “different culture and their lifestyles” shows problems with number and agreement. The introductory phrase “ahead of my opinion” is also not a well-formed construction. Review pronoun reference, possessives, and singular/plural agreement, and check that introductory phrases fit the sentence that follows.

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