Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-08-22

IELTS Writing Task 2 question

Some people spend most of their lives living close to where they were born.

What might be the reasons for this?

What are the advantages and disadvantages?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

 

Student answer (Band 6.0)

Many people choose to spend most of their lives where they were born, while others choose to move to other states or countries. There are several reasons for each individual; staying in one place has many advantages, but there are disadvantages as well.

One of the major reasons to remain close to their birthplace is to stay connected to close family and friends. They may want to support their parents and relatives. Another reason they want to stay connected because they are familiar with communities, local areas, and lifestyle, and living close to their birthplace helps to maintain relationships with their loved ones and get emotional support in difficult times.

However, the main disadvantage is that they may have fewer opportunities to experience different cultures or advance their careers. In some smaller towns, there may also be limited employment and educational opportunities.

In my opinion, staying close to one's birthplace can provide stability and happiness, but people should remain open to moving if better opportunities arise. Finding a balance between family connection and personal growth is the best approach.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, including reasons, advantages, and disadvantages. However, the essay is significantly under the 250-word minimum requirement (179 words), which severely limits the depth of the response. The ideas are presented in a clear, logical manner, but they lack the necessary development, examples, and supporting details required for a higher band score. To improve, you must expand on your points with specific personal examples or broader societal illustrations to ensure the response is fully developed and meets the length requirement.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. There is a basic progression of ideas, and the use of cohesive devices such as 'One of the major reasons', 'Another reason', and 'However' helps guide the reader. However, the transitions are somewhat mechanical and the overall structure is quite brief. To achieve a higher band, you should aim for more sophisticated linking words and ensure that each paragraph contains a more substantial, well-developed argument that flows naturally into the next.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary used is adequate for the task and conveys the intended meaning clearly. You use some relevant terms like 'birthplace', 'employment', and 'educational opportunities'. However, the range is somewhat limited and repetitive. There is little evidence of less common lexical items or idiomatic language. To improve, try to incorporate more precise vocabulary related to the topic, such as 'career progression', 'cultural immersion', or 'social support networks', and avoid repeating simple words like 'reasons' or 'choose'.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The essay demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. Most sentences are grammatically correct, though there are minor errors, such as the missing 'is' in 'Another reason they want to stay connected because...'. While the grammar is generally accurate, the range of structures is limited. To reach a higher band, you should aim to use a wider variety of complex grammatical forms, such as conditional sentences or passive voice, and ensure that your sentence construction is consistently error-free.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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