Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-08-03

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 7.0)

Some people believe that employers should ask job applicants for personal information, such as their hobbies, interests, and marital status, because it can help them choose the right person. However, others think this information is private and should not be considered. This essay will discuss both views before giving my opinion.

On the one hand, some employers believe that personal information is useful when hiring new workers. Hobbies and interests can show a person's personality and skills. For example, someone who enjoys team sports may have good teamwork and communication skills. In addition, employers may ask about marital status because they want to know if the employee can work flexible hours or travel for business. Therefore, this information may help companies find a suitable candidate.

On the other hand, many people argue that personal information should not be part of the hiring process. The most important thing is whether the applicant has the right qualifications, experience, and ability to do the job. Information about marriage or personal interests may lead to unfair decisions or discrimination. For instance, an employer might reject a married person because they think family responsibilities will affect work. This is unfair because personal life does not always influence job performance.

In my opinion, employers should focus mainly on professional skills and work experience. Asking about hobbies can sometimes be helpful if they are related to the job, but questions about marital status should be avoided because they are not necessary. Every applicant should have an equal chance to get the job based on their abilities.

In conclusion, although some personal information may help employers understand applicants better, I believe that hiring decisions should be based on qualifications and skills rather than private details.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, discussing both sides of the argument and providing a clear personal opinion. The ideas are relevant and logically extended, such as the example of team sports reflecting communication skills and the potential for discrimination regarding marital status. The position is consistent throughout the essay. To reach a higher band, the student could provide more nuanced development of the counter-arguments, perhaps by exploring the legal or ethical implications of such hiring practices in more depth, rather than relying on general statements. Overall, the task is well-handled with a clear structure and logical flow.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The essay is well-organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph has a central topic sentence, and the progression of ideas is logical. Cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand', 'In addition', 'Therefore', and 'In conclusion' are used effectively to guide the reader. The referencing is clear, and the paragraphing is appropriate. The flow is smooth, and the relationship between ideas is easy to follow. There is no evidence of mechanical or repetitive usage, making the text coherent and easy to read.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The vocabulary is sufficient for the task and allows for clear expression of ideas. The student uses appropriate terminology such as 'job applicants', 'hiring process', 'professional skills', and 'job performance'. While the range is adequate, it lacks a high degree of sophistication or the use of less common idiomatic expressions that would characterize a higher band. There are no significant errors in word choice or collocation that impede communication. To improve, the student should aim to incorporate more precise academic collocations and varied synonyms to demonstrate a wider lexical range.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The essay demonstrates a good control of grammar with a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. Most sentences are error-free, and punctuation is used correctly throughout. The student successfully uses conditional structures and modal verbs (e.g., 'should be avoided', 'may lead to'). While the grammatical range is solid, it is not particularly ambitious; the essay relies on standard sentence patterns. There are no major errors that cause confusion. To achieve a higher score, the student could experiment with more complex sentence forms, such as inverted structures or more varied subordinate clauses.

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