Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-09-10

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)

These days, many people think that the best way to truly understand a country’s culture is by exploring new places and immersing themselves in local traditions. On the other hand, some believe that sticking to familiar surroundings while on vacation is a safer choice. Personally, I feel that giving yourself the freedom to explore can greatly enrich your character, as long as you take sensible precautions along the way.

On the other hand, trying new things allows people to broaden their knowledge and develop valuable life skills. Exploring different cultures, cuisines, and environments helps individuals become more adaptable and open-minded. It also creates memorable experiences that cannot be gained by following the same routine. For instance, someone who travels to another country may learn about different traditions, improve their communication skills, and gain a better understanding of the world.

On the there hand, many people prefer familiar routines because they provide comfort and security. Visiting places they know well or eating familiar food reduces uncertainty and helps them avoid unpleasant surprises. This is especially true for older people or those with busy lifestyles, who may not have the time or energy to experiment. For example, a family may choose to spend every holiday at the same beach because they already know the accommodation, restaurants, and local attractions. As a result, they can relax without worrying about unexpected problems.

In my opinion, enjoy visiting new places teaches something different and helps to become more confident. Even when an experience does not meet my expectations. Although, it is natural to enjoy familiar activities, people should challenge themselves to experience new things whenever possible.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response addresses the prompt, but there is a significant issue with task relevance. The prompt asks about people who live close to where they were born (staying in one's hometown), whereas your essay focuses almost exclusively on travel and vacation habits. While you touch upon 'familiar routines,' you do not discuss the reasons for staying in one's birthplace (e.g., family ties, job stability, cost of living) or the specific advantages/disadvantages of that lifestyle. Because the essay misinterprets the core topic, it fails to fully develop the required ideas, leading to a lower score for task response.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is organized into clear paragraphs, and there is a logical progression of ideas within those paragraphs. You use cohesive devices such as 'On the other hand,' 'For instance,' and 'As a result' to link your points. However, there is a repetitive use of 'On the other hand' to start both the second and third paragraphs, which is slightly mechanical. Additionally, the transition between the introduction and the body paragraphs is somewhat abrupt because the topic of the essay shifted from the prompt's focus on birthplace to a discussion about travel.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey your meaning, such as 'immersing themselves,' 'adaptable,' and 'uncertainty.' There are some minor word choice issues, such as 'enjoy visiting' instead of 'enjoying visits' or 'enjoying visiting.' While the vocabulary is generally appropriate for the task, it lacks the sophistication or precision required for higher bands. You rely on fairly common phrases, and the vocabulary is not always used with complete accuracy, though it never impedes the reader's understanding of your intended message.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors, such as 'On the there hand' (a typo), 'enjoy visiting new places teaches' (subject-verb agreement error), and 'Even when an experience does not meet my expectations. Although, it is natural...' (sentence fragment and punctuation error). These errors occur frequently enough to be noticeable, but they do not prevent the reader from understanding your points. To improve, focus on sentence boundary punctuation and ensuring that your subjects and verbs agree correctly.

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

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