Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-10-31

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)

People have different views whether we are living in the best time in history or not.

While both have their limits, I believe i was born at the right point of history, whether it's good or bad.

On one hand, some people believe we're currently living at the best time in history of humanity. One important reason for this is human progress. Life, objectively have been the easiest to live since the start of times. For exemple, humans no longer have to travel for long periods and in harsh conditions, whether to deliver a message, bring water or even for education. This progress eventually resulted in longer human life exepectations.

On the other hand, others argue that the concept of the best time in history is irrelevent and largely subjective. Each point of history had it's own limits, wether it's progress, technology, ideologies or climate conditions.

For instance, one could imagine the 50s as the perfect time to be alive due to it's economical advantages , while another could argue against the ideologies of that time, such as slavery and post war conditions.

For this reason, i believe it's irrelevent to pick a perfect time of history since it's widely subjective, and due to my believe that everything is meant to be as it should be. Each ceuntry comes with it's limits therefore if it was up to each individual to pick one, no body would be able to choose.

In conclusion, both views have valid points, however i believe whether i like where i currently am or not, it's perfectly where i need to be.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You give a recognisable opinion that the idea of a single “best time” is subjective, and you support this with relevant contrasts, such as modern convenience and the 1950s’ economic advantages versus slavery and post-war conditions. However, the task asks which other historical period would be interesting to live in, and you do not clearly choose one or explain why you personally would find it interesting. The discussion of the 1950s is presented as an example of what someone might think, rather than as your own answer to that part. Your position also shifts between believing the present is the right time for you and saying no period can be judged as perfect. Address both questions directly and develop your personal reasons with a specific example.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a clear paragraph structure, with an introduction, two contrasting body paragraphs and a conclusion. Phrases such as “On one hand,” “On the other hand,” and “For this reason” help signal the direction of the argument. However, the progression is not always smooth: the second body paragraph moves from the subjectivity of historical periods to the writer’s belief that everything is meant to be, without explaining the connection. The conclusion repeats the idea that the present is where the writer needs to be but does not resolve the question about another period. Some linking is also mechanical, and references such as “both views” are not fully clear. Make each paragraph advance one main point and connect examples explicitly to your position.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use a relevant range of vocabulary, including “human progress,” “harsh conditions,” “life expectations,” “ideologies,” and “subjective,” which allows you to discuss historical change and differing perspectives. There are also noticeable spelling and word-choice errors that reduce precision, including “exemple,” “exepectations,” “irrelevent,” and “ceuntry.” Some expressions are awkward or imprecise, such as “the easiest to live” and “economical advantages.” These do not prevent the reader from understanding the main argument, but they limit the accuracy and naturalness of your vocabulary. Check spelling carefully and choose collocations that express your meaning precisely; for example, describe life as “easier” and refer to “economic advantages.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mix of simple and complex sentences, including clauses beginning with “While,” “whether,” and “since,” and most of the argument remains understandable. However, errors occur in sentence structure, agreement, articles, and punctuation. For example, “Life, objectively have been” has a subject–verb agreement problem, while “Each point of history had it's own limits” uses an incorrect possessive form and an awkward tense choice. The opening phrase “different views whether” also needs a grammatical link, such as “different views on whether.” Capitalisation of “I” is inconsistent, and commas are sometimes misplaced or surrounded by spaces. Review these patterns and proofread each sentence for a clear subject and correctly formed verb.

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