Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-08-08

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 8.0)

Nowadays, employers sometimes ask job applicants to provide personal information, such as their hobbies, interests and marital status. Some people believe that this information can help employers make better hiring decisions, while others argue that it is private and not relevant to employment. This essay will discuss both views, and I believe that employers should mainly focus on information that is related to the job.

On the one hand, hobbies and interests can sometimes provide useful information about a candidate's personality and skills. For example, a person who regularly plays team sports may have good teamwork and communication skills. Similarly, someone who enjoys volunteering may be responsible and willing to help others. Such information can help employers understand candidates beyond their educational qualifications and work experience. Therefore, hobbies and interests may be useful when two applicants have similar qualifications.

On the other hand, personal information such as marital status should not normally be considered during recruitment. Being married or single does not show whether a person is capable of doing a particular job. If employers use this information to make decisions, it could result in unfair treatment or discrimination. For example, an employer might prefer a single person because they assume that married employees will have more family responsibilities. This type of assumption is unfair because people's personal circumstances do not necessarily affect their performance at work.

In my opinion, employers can ask about hobbies and interests if they are relevant to the position, but questions about marital status should be avoided. Recruitment decisions should mainly be based on qualifications, experience, skills and the applicant's ability to perform the job effectively.

In conclusion, although some personal information can help employers understand candidates better, private matters such as marital status are generally irrelevant. Employers should focus on job-related qualities to ensure a fair recruitment process.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response fully addresses all parts of the task. You have clearly discussed both sides of the argument—the potential relevance of hobbies/interests and the inappropriateness of requesting marital status—and provided a clear personal opinion throughout the essay. The ideas are well-developed, such as the example of team sports indicating communication skills and the discussion on how marital status can lead to discriminatory hiring practices. The position is consistent and well-supported by logical reasoning. To reach a higher band, you could further extend the discussion by exploring the nuance of how 'hobbies' might be perceived as intrusive in certain professional contexts, but overall, the task is handled effectively.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central topic, and the transition between the two viewpoints is smooth, using appropriate cohesive devices like 'On the one hand' and 'On the other hand'. The introduction and conclusion are well-structured, framing the argument effectively. Referencing is clear, and the flow of information is natural. The use of linking words such as 'Similarly', 'Therefore', and 'although' helps to guide the reader through your argument without being repetitive or mechanical. The paragraphing is appropriate and contributes to the overall clarity of the response.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with precision. Phrases such as 'make better hiring decisions', 'educational qualifications', and 'unfair treatment or discrimination' are used accurately. You show an awareness of style by using formal, professional language suitable for an essay. While the vocabulary is effective and natural, it is generally standard. To achieve a higher band, you could incorporate more sophisticated or less common lexical items, such as 'preconceived notions', 'professional aptitude', or 'mitigate bias', to demonstrate a wider and more flexible range of vocabulary.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The essay displays a good variety of complex structures, such as conditional sentences ('If employers use this information...') and concessive clauses ('although some personal information can help...'). 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 structures are varied, moving between simple and complex forms effectively. To reach the highest band, ensure that you continue to use a wide range of structures with full flexibility, though your current level of accuracy is already very high.

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