Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-08-09

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)

Employers sometimes ask job applicants for personal information, such as their hobbies, interests, and marital status. While some people believe that such information is useful for making hiring decisions, others argue that it is irrelevant and should not be considered. This essay will discuss both views before explaining my opinion.

On the one hand, personal information about hobbies and interests can help employers understand an applicant’s personality and suitability for a particular position. For example, someone who enjoys team sports may demonstrate qualities such as teamwork and communication, which are valuable in many workplaces. Similarly, hobbies that require creativity, such as painting or writing, may indicate useful skills for jobs in marketing or design. Therefore, some personal information can provide additional insight into a candidate beyond their qualifications and work experience.

On the other hand, asking about marital status or other private matters can be inappropriate and may lead to unfair discrimination. An employer might make assumptions about a married person’s availability or responsibilities, even though these factors do not necessarily affect their ability to perform a job. For instance, a single applicant may not be more committed to work than a married candidate. In my view, hiring decisions should primarily be based on qualifications, experience, skills, and professional performance rather than personal circumstances.

In conclusion, hobbies and interests may sometimes provide useful information about an applicant’s character and abilities. However, private details such as marital status are generally irrelevant and can encourage discrimination. I believe employers should focus on job-related qualities to ensure that recruitment is fair and objective.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

You have fully addressed all parts of the prompt. You clearly discussed both sides of the argument—the potential relevance of hobbies for personality assessment and the risks of discrimination regarding marital status—and provided a clear, consistent personal opinion throughout the essay. The ideas are well-developed and supported with logical examples, such as linking team sports to communication skills and highlighting the potential for unfair assumptions regarding marital status. The response is balanced and directly answers the task requirements, maintaining a professional tone throughout.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central topic sentence, and the transition between the two viewpoints is smooth, facilitated by effective cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand', 'Similarly', 'On the other hand', and 'In conclusion'. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the flow of information is easy to follow. The use of referencing is precise, ensuring that the reader can easily track the argument from the introduction to the final summary.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with precision. You use appropriate collocations such as 'hiring decisions', 'unfair discrimination', and 'professional performance'. While the vocabulary is accurate and fits the context well, it is functional rather than highly sophisticated. To reach a higher band, you could incorporate more nuanced or less common lexical items to express your ideas with greater flair. However, the current range is more than adequate for the task, and there are no errors in word choice or spelling.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

Your writing displays a good variety of complex sentence structures, such as the use of 'While' clauses and conditional-style reasoning. The grammar is highly accurate, with the majority of sentences being error-free. Punctuation is used correctly throughout, and there are no slips that impede communication. The control over complex structures is consistent, and the essay reads very naturally. You have successfully maintained a high level of accuracy while using a range of sentence types.

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