Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-09-08
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 5.5)
Few people think that present is perfect for living in history. This essay will discuss why is it so and examine historical times of existence of Indus valley civilization of India.
There are several reasons why i believe that present is the right moment to be living in history. The main reason is that we can create history by realistically present and alive in the moment. This is because every passing second is not going to return back. For example, time is like a wave of ocean, once it passes y and you can never catch the same wave again. As a result, each and every passing second of the time is passing by like a wave of flowing water.
Regarding another period in history, I would be interested in living in is the Indus Valley Civilization period. One important reason is that i want to explore the methods of business at that time, called Barter system. This is because i recently visited a museum in Toronto and got to see various ornaments used in buying and selling products. Therefore, i want to experience it personally and i am curious about knowing further.
In conclusion, I believe that present is the best moment to live in history. I would also find Indus valley civilization phase an interesting time to live in because of the barter system used.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response addresses both parts of the prompt, but the development is insufficient. The word count is 227 words, which is below the 250-word minimum, leading to a penalty. The arguments provided are quite simplistic; for instance, the explanation of why the present is the best time relies on repetitive metaphors about 'waves' rather than substantive points about technology, medicine, or human rights. Similarly, the discussion of the Indus Valley Civilization is brief and lacks depth, focusing only on the barter system without explaining why this would be an interesting time to live in beyond a personal curiosity. To improve, you must expand your ideas with concrete examples and ensure you meet the length requirement.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The essay is organised into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical and repetitive. For example, 'This is because' is used twice in close proximity, and the transition between the introduction and the body paragraphs is abrupt. The logical progression within paragraphs is weak; the explanation of the 'wave' metaphor is circular and does not clearly link back to the prompt. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring that each sentence flows logically from the previous one would significantly enhance the coherence of your writing.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is adequate for basic communication but lacks the range and precision required for a higher band. You use simple, repetitive phrasing such as 'best time' and 'interesting time'. There are also some awkward collocations, such as 'realistically present and alive in the moment', which sounds unnatural. To reach a higher band, you should aim to use more sophisticated vocabulary related to historical periods and societal progress, and ensure that your word choices are contextually appropriate. Avoid repeating the same words in close succession and try to incorporate more precise academic terminology.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The essay contains a mix of simple and some attempted complex structures. However, there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede the flow of reading. Examples include 'Few people think that present is perfect' (missing articles), 'why is it so' (incorrect word order in a subordinate clause), and 'once it passes y' (likely a typo). Additionally, there are issues with subject-verb agreement and article usage throughout the text. To improve, focus on mastering basic sentence construction, specifically the use of articles and correct word order in indirect questions, before attempting more complex structures.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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