Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-10-19

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 6.0)

While walking, I always wonder what would had been my life if I was born during 19th century? The era where the technological advancement meant transport modes running on coal or steam. Where the communication meant writing letters to your loved ones knowing the responses will take months to come. The time, where medical advacement meant treatment using herbs if it get diagnosed properly. Despite all the hardships and life feel dull, compare to the current time, I would still like to experience that time because that era, to me, had more "personal touch" than the current time.

If a debate is staged between the young and old generations of this time and the topic is "which time is the best time in history to be living", I am sure both sides will be at the equilibrium. The young generation is likely to base their argument on the "convenience" while the old ones on the "real-personal touch".

The current time, undoubtedly, is the best time to live in because of the many reasons and all revolving around the technology. Who would have thought the diseases which were fatal in the past are now being cured through over-the-counter medicines? Friends who live seven-continents away and having a different time-zones, still in touch with one another on a regular basis. The travel that seemed to be hectic earlier are now completed within hours, at max, and most importantly without exhausting to the core.

In summary, no time can be labelled as best time as pros and cons of each time, have and will always, be there. Let's live the moments to the full and cause no harm to others. That will make the time best to live.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

Your response addresses both questions: you state that the present offers major advantages, while identifying the nineteenth century as an interesting period to experience. The examples of modern medicine, long-distance communication and faster travel support your view, and the contrast with letters and coal-powered transport makes the alternative period relevant. However, the two positions are not fully reconciled: the opening favours the nineteenth century for its “personal touch,” whereas the later paragraph calls the present the best time. The conclusion then says no period is best, leaving your overall opinion less clear. Develop the reasons for choosing the nineteenth century with a specific example, and explain how that preference fits your final judgement.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure, moving from the nineteenth-century comparison to a discussion of generations, then to present-day benefits and a conclusion. Paragraphing helps separate these stages, and phrases such as “In summary” signal the ending. However, the progression is not consistently clear: the opening preference, the claim that the present is best, and the conclusion that no time is best are not linked into one developing argument. The second paragraph introduces a hypothetical debate but does not clearly advance your own reasoning. Some sentence fragments in the opening also interrupt the flow. Organise the essay around one consistent position, and use transitions to show how each paragraph supports or qualifies it.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use an adequate range of topic vocabulary, including “technological advancement,” “fatal,” “over-the-counter medicines,” and “personal touch.” These choices help communicate contrasts between historical and modern life, and the meaning remains clear despite some inaccurate or unnatural expressions. For example, “at the equilibrium” does not naturally describe agreement or balance between generations, while “seven-continents away” and “real-personal touch” are awkward combinations. There are also spelling errors such as “advacement.” Aim for more precise collocations and check spelling, especially when using less common vocabulary. More natural phrasing would make your comparisons sound clearer and more controlled.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mix of simple and more complex forms, including conditional phrasing and relative clauses, and the main ideas are generally understandable. Some grammatical errors remain, however. The opening asks “what would had been my life” rather than using the correct conditional form, and “if I was born” does not match the intended hypothetical meaning. Several opening statements beginning “The era where…” and “Where the communication…” are fragments rather than complete sentences. There are also agreement and article problems in phrases such as “the travel … are now completed” and “the best time in history.” Practise complete sentence structures and check verb forms and subject–verb agreement; this will improve accuracy while preserving your attempts at complex sentences.

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

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