Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.5 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-08-02

IELTS Writing Task 2 question

Employers sometimes ask people applying for jobs for personal information, such as their hobbies and interests, and whether they are married or single. Some people say that this information may be relevant and useful. Others disagree.

Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

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

 

Student answer (Band 8.5)

Employers often ask job applicants for personal information, such as their hobbies, interests, and marital status. While some people believe this information is useful for employers, others think it is irrelevant. This essay will discuss both views before giving my opinion.

On the one hand, some personal information can help employers choose the most suitable candidate. For example, hobbies and interests may show important qualities that are not mentioned in a resume. A person who enjoys team sports may have good teamwork skills, while someone who likes reading may have strong concentration and knowledge. In addition, employers may use this information to understand whether an applicant will fit well into the company culture. As a result, asking about hobbies can sometimes support better hiring decisions.

On the other hand, many people believe that personal information, especially marital status, should not be considered during recruitment. Whether a person is married or single does not necessarily affect their ability to perform a job well. In some cases, such questions may even lead to unfair treatment or discrimination. For instance, an employer might assume that a married applicant with children cannot work overtime, even though this may not be true. Therefore, hiring decisions should mainly depend on a candidate's qualifications, skills, and experience rather than their personal life.

In my opinion, employers should only ask for information that is directly related to the job. While hobbies and interests can provide useful insights into a person's personality, questions about marital status are unnecessary unless there is a legal or job-related reason. Recruitment should be based on fairness and equal opportunity so that every applicant has the same chance of getting the position.

In conclusion, although personal interests may help employers understand candidates better, information such as marital status is generally irrelevant to job performance. I believe employers should focus on professional qualifications and only request personal details when they are genuinely necessary.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You have discussed both sides of the argument—the potential benefits of personal information for cultural fit and the risks of discrimination regarding marital status—and provided a clear, consistent personal opinion. The ideas are well-developed, with logical examples such as the link between team sports and teamwork, and the potential for bias against married applicants. The position is maintained throughout the essay, and the conclusion effectively synthesizes the arguments presented. The response is balanced and demonstrates a strong understanding of the task requirements.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between paragraphs is smooth. You have used a variety of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'On the one hand', 'In addition', 'For instance', and 'Therefore', which guide the reader through your argument. The paragraphing is appropriate, with a clear introduction, two body paragraphs, a personal opinion paragraph, and a conclusion. The referencing is clear throughout, and the flow of information is natural and easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with precision. Phrases like 'suitable candidate', 'company culture', 'unfair treatment', and 'genuinely necessary' are used accurately. While the vocabulary is appropriate and clear, it is mostly functional rather than sophisticated. To reach a higher band, you could incorporate more precise collocations or less common academic vocabulary. However, the current range is flexible enough to convey your ideas clearly without any noticeable errors in word choice or spelling.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5

The essay exhibits a good range of complex structures, such as conditional clauses ('if there is a legal or job-related reason') and contrastive structures ('While hobbies and interests can provide...'). The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation and grammar is strong. There are no significant errors that impede communication. The sentence variety is good, moving between simple and complex forms effectively. The writing is accurate and demonstrates a high level of grammatical control.

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