Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-08-13

IELTS Writing Task 2 question

Some people say that now is the best time in history to be living.

What is your opinion about this?

What other time in history would be interesting to live in?

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

Student answer (Band 6.5)

Some people think that the present is the best time in history to live. I partly agree with this idea because life today is easier in many ways. However, there are also some problems in modern life.

One main reason why today is a good time to live is the improvement in technology and medicine. People now have better hospitals, medicines and healthcare. We can also travel easily from one place to another. The internet has made communication much faster. For example, we can talk to friends and family who live in other countries in just a few seconds. Modern medicine has also helped people live longer and has made it possible to treat many serious diseases.

However, I do not think that life today is perfect. Many people have stress because of work, study and money problems. Pollution is also a serious problem in many cities. In addition, people spend a lot of time on social media and mobile phones, which can sometimes affect their mental health. In the past, people had fewer modern facilities, but they may have spent more time with their families and neighbours.

If I could choose another time in history to live in, I would like to experience the Renaissance. It was an interesting period when art, science and culture developed greatly. I would like to see the work of famous artists and learn about the ideas of important thinkers. It would be exciting to see how people lived during that time.

In conclusion, I believe that the present is one of the best times to live because of modern medicine, technology and communication. Although there are some problems today, life is generally more comfortable and convenient. However, I would also like to experience the Renaissance because it was an important and interesting period in history.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response addresses all parts of the prompt. You clearly state your position regarding the present day and provide a well-reasoned choice for a historical period to visit. The ideas are relevant, such as the mention of medical advancements and the Renaissance. However, the development of these ideas is somewhat basic. To reach a higher band, you should aim to extend your arguments with more specific examples or deeper analysis. For instance, when discussing the Renaissance, you could elaborate on specific scientific breakthroughs or cultural shifts that make it uniquely appealing, rather than just stating it was an interesting period.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph has a central theme, such as the benefits of modern life, the drawbacks, and the historical preference. You use cohesive devices like 'However', 'In addition', and 'In conclusion' effectively to guide the reader. The progression of ideas is smooth and easy to follow. To improve, you could vary your linking words further, as some transitions are quite standard. Overall, the paragraphing is appropriate and contributes to a coherent structure.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey your ideas clearly. Words like 'convenient', 'advancements', and 'period' are used accurately. However, the vocabulary is generally functional rather than sophisticated. To achieve a higher score, try to incorporate more precise or less common lexical items. For example, instead of 'better hospitals', you could use 'state-of-the-art medical facilities'. You avoid major spelling errors, and your word choice is consistently appropriate for the context, which ensures that your meaning is never obscured.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The essay displays a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. You use subordinating conjunctions like 'because' and 'although' effectively to connect ideas. The grammar is generally accurate, with very few errors that impede communication. Most of your sentences are error-free, which is a positive sign. To move into the higher bands, you should aim to incorporate a wider variety of complex structures, such as conditional sentences (e.g., 'Had I lived during the Renaissance, I would have...') or passive voice constructions to demonstrate greater grammatical flexibility.

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