Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-09-18
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 6.5)
Some people spend most of their lives living close to the place where they were born. There are several reasons for this choice, and it has both advantages and disadvantages.
One main reason is that people feel comfortable and secure in their hometown. They usually have close relationships with their family, relatives and friends, so they do not want to leave them. Another reason is financial stability. Moving to another city or country can be expensive, and some people may already have a job, house or family business in their local area. For example, many people in Pakistan prefer to stay in their hometown because their parents and other relatives live nearby.
There are several advantages to living close to one’s birthplace. Firstly, people can easily get support from their family and friends when they face problems. Secondly, they are familiar with the local culture, language and community. This can make their lives more comfortable. However, there are also some disadvantages. People who never move away may have fewer opportunities to experience different cultures and lifestyles. They may also miss better educational or career opportunities available in other places.
In my opinion, staying close to one’s birthplace can provide emotional and financial stability, but moving to a new place can help people become more independent and discover new opportunities. Therefore, people should consider their personal and career goals before deciding where to live.
Overall, there are many reasons why people remain close to their birthplace, particularly family connections and financial security. Although this lifestyle has important benefits, it can sometimes limit people’s experiences and opportunities.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 6.5 |
| Overall | 6.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5
The response fully addresses all parts of the task by exploring the reasons why people remain close to their birthplace, alongside the advantages and disadvantages of this lifestyle. The position is clear throughout the essay. Ideas are well-developed and supported with relevant explanations and examples, such as mentioning the role of family connections, financial stability, and referencing cultural familiarity in Pakistan. The main parts of the prompt are given due attention, and the arguments flow logically towards a balanced conclusion.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5
The essay displays a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Information and ideas are coherently structured, using appropriate paragraphing for each aspect of the prompt (reasons, advantages, disadvantages, and conclusion). Cohesive devices such as 'One main reason', 'Firstly', 'Secondly', and 'However' are used effectively to guide the reader through the text, though referencing can occasionally feel a bit standard rather than flexible. Overall, the structural progression is logical and easy to follow.
Lexical Resource — Band 6.0
The student uses an adequate range of vocabulary suitable for the task, such as 'financial stability', 'familiar with the local culture', and 'emotional and financial stability'. There are attempts to use less common expressions, and while most word choices are accurate, the vocabulary remains fairly standard for this topic. Spelling and word formation are generally accurate, and errors do not impede communication. The lexical range is sufficient to earn a solid Band 6.5 to 7.0 level.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5
The writer demonstrates a good mix of simple and complex sentence forms. Examples like 'Moving to another city or country can be expensive, and some people may already have a job, house or family business in their local area' illustrate control over complex structures. Grammar and punctuation are generally well controlled, and although a few minor slips may occur, they do not impede communication. The majority of sentences are clear and grammatically sound.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.