Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-09-19

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 7.0)

Many people argue that the current era is the finest period in human history to be alive. I completely agree to this view, as modern advancements have significantly improved our quality of life. However, looking back, the mid-twentieth centuary would also be an incredibly fascinating period to experience.

There are compelling reasons why the present day represents the pinnacle of human civilization. First and foremost, breakthroughs in healthcare and medicine have drastically increased life expectancy and eradicated numerous deadly diseases. For instance, ailments that were once considered fatal a centuary ago can now be treated with a simple course of antibiotics. Furthermore, digital technology has revolutionized communication and access to information. Through the internet, individuals can connect instantly across the globe and access a wealth of knowledge at the click of a button, a convenience that was unimaginable to previous generations.

Nevertheles, if I were to choose another era to experience, the 1960s would be highly captivating. This decade was characterized by monumental social changes, vibrant cultural movements, and historic geopolitical milestones. It was a time of immense optimism and transformation, marked by the civil right movement and groundbreaking shifts in music, fashion, and art. Witnessing firsthand how society rapidly modernized and broke away from traditional norms during this decade would provide invaluable insights into the roots of our contemporary culture.

In conclusion, while history is filled with fascinating eras like the transformative 1960s, the modern age remains the best time to live. The unparalleled standards of medicine, safety, and global connectivity ensure that today offers opportunities and comforts unmatched by any past generation.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the task by clearly stating an opinion on whether the present is the best time to live and successfully identifying another fascinating historical era, the 1960s. The position is well-developed from the very beginning. In the second paragraph, the writer supports their stance with specific, logical arguments regarding medical breakthroughs and digital technology, such as citing antibiotics and instant global communication. Furthermore, the selection of the 1960s is justified with relevant historical examples like social changes, the civil rights movement, and cultural shifts in music and art. Ideas are well-extended throughout the essay, demonstrating a comprehensive understanding of the prompt. Therefore, this performance meets the criteria for Band 8.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay displays a clear logical organization and progression throughout. Each paragraph has a distinct focus, beginning with a well-formulated introduction, followed by body paragraphs dedicated to the present era and the 1960s respectively, and ending with a concise conclusion. Cohesive devices are used effectively and flexibly without being intrusive, as seen with transitional phrases like 'First and foremost', 'Furthermore', and 'Nevertheles'. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately to separate distinct trains of thought. Although there is a minor spelling slip in 'centuary' (which also appears later as 'centuary'), the overarching structural flow and logical sequencing remain strong. This places the essay comfortably at Band 7.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The writer demonstrates a sufficient and flexible range of vocabulary necessary for the task, successfully incorporating less common lexical items with awareness of style and collocation. Examples such as 'pinnacle of human civilization', 'eradicated numerous deadly diseases', 'monumental social changes', and 'geopolitical milestones' highlight a strong command of vocabulary. While there are a few isolated spelling errors—specifically 'centuary' instead of 'century' and 'Nevertheles' instead of 'Nevertheless'—these are minor slips and do not impede communication. The writer maintains appropriate tone and precision throughout, aligning well with the descriptors for a Band 7 score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The response utilizes a wide variety of complex sentence structures with frequent error-free sentences. Examples of successful complex constructions include 'Through the internet, individuals can connect instantly across the globe and access a wealth of knowledge at the click of a button, a convenience that was unimaginable to previous generations.' and 'Witnessing firsthand how society rapidly modernized and broke away from traditional norms during this decade would provide invaluable insights...' The writer demonstrates good control of grammar and punctuation, with only a few minor mechanical slips. The vast majority of sentences are grammatically accurate, justifying a solid Band 8 score.

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