Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-10-23

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)

Some claim that exploring new places, cultures and cuisines helps individuals to experience different things. whereas, others prefer to stay in their comfort zone doing the activities they are conversant with. I feel going for the new things makes life thrilling and adventerous.

Proponents on one hand states that opting for different destinations and cultures is the way to increase knowledge and learn different life skills. Some turns out to be amazing and surprising destinations and experiences which remains as lifetime memories. On the other hand, some journeys may teach new different lessons. Exploring themselves to new atmosphere results in discovering the fears and strengths. Therefore, individuals could try new activities to overcome the fears and lead a carefree and successful lifestyle. For instance, recent survey done by Timesline newspaper shows that a group of children are more active in the classes who travel and explore different cultures than the ones who donot try new things. China is imlementing different techniques of teaching by introducing children to different atmosphere and traditions. Later, conducting the examinations based on the knowledge they are gaining in trips. Hence this help in cognitive development.

Moreover, others favouring the individuals who tend to stay in their safe and comfortable zones may fear to try new things or due to lack of knowledge. Mainly, due to personality differences. People finds themselves relaxing and calming by doing the things which they are familiar with. Sometimes, satying in the same placce may help them to refresh and unwind. For example, whenever my friend gets emotionally exhausted and devastated she packs her bag and starts traveling new different place. whereas other friend wants stay in her home and spend some quality of time alone. This is due to personality difference.

In conclusion, Individuals prefer the doing activities which they are familiar with as they find it safe and relaxing. I firmly believe that neophiles are active and thrilling.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You address both attitudes and state a preference for trying new things in the introduction, with relevant points about learning, confidence and relaxation. However, the discussion is uneven: the case for exploration receives several claims and examples, while the familiar-routine viewpoint is explained mainly through comfort and personality. Some support is unclear or not fully connected to the argument, particularly the survey and China teaching example, whose relevance to adults’ preferences is not explained. The conclusion also shifts to saying that people prefer familiar activities, then calls “neophiles” active and thrilling, so your own position is not fully consistent. Develop both sides more evenly, explain examples clearly, and restate one unambiguous opinion.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable introduction, two body paragraphs and a conclusion, and signposts such as “On the other hand,” “Moreover” and “In conclusion” help show the intended structure. However, progression within paragraphs is sometimes difficult to follow: the first body paragraph moves from travel and life skills to children’s classroom activity and teaching methods without clearly linking each point. Some connections are mechanical or unclear, and “whereas” is used in ways that do not smoothly connect the ideas. The example about two friends is relevant, but its relationship to the general claim could be made more explicit. Organise each paragraph around one main point, use clearer references, and make the conclusion follow directly from the position established in the introduction.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use an adequate range of topic vocabulary, including “cultures,” “destinations,” “lifetime memories,” “overcome the fears” and “cognitive development.” There are also attempts at less common expressions, such as “comfort zone” and “emotionally exhausted,” though some combinations are unnatural or imprecise, including “new different lessons,” “exploring themselves to new atmosphere” and “neophiles are active and thrilling.” Spelling errors such as “adventerous,” “imlementing” and “satying” are noticeable, but the overall meaning is generally recoverable. Aim for more natural collocations and check spelling carefully. For example, use “expose themselves to new environments” rather than “exploring themselves to new atmosphere,” and “people who enjoy novelty” instead of relying on “neophiles.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more complex sentence forms, including clauses introduced by “who,” “which” and “whenever.” However, control is inconsistent, and errors in agreement, sentence construction and punctuation sometimes make the reader pause. Examples include “Proponents … states,” “Some turns out,” and “People finds themselves,” where the subject and verb do not agree. “Hence this help in cognitive development” also has an incorrect verb form, while “whenever my friend … she packs” shifts from a general situation to a specific example without a clear grammatical frame. Several sentence fragments or awkwardly joined clauses appear, such as “Mainly, due to personality differences.” Practise checking subject–verb agreement and ensure each sentence has a complete, clearly connected structure.

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