Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-08-24

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 7.5)

While some argue that personal details of employees are irrelevant to the job they get interviewed for, others think they are beneficial in the interview process. In my view, it is imperative for employers to know employees' background in order to assign them to a role where their interests align within an organisation's culture.

On the one hand, supporters maintain it is crucial to gain a broader understanding of an applicant's personality and suitability for the workplace during the interview. This is because they believe it is consequential to know individuals' hobbies, interests and personal circumstances, as they may reveal qualities such as teamwork, leadership, creativity and time management, which helps to assign them to the departments where their qualities align with the job duties. Moreover, understanding an applicant's background may help employers assess long-term commitment and workplace adaptability. For example, if a candidate's interest is in arts, it is best to recruit them in the creative team of a company instead of a marketing team. By doing this, both employers and employees mutually benefit.

On the other hand, critics argue that employers should only ask for information which is mandatory for the job and should not bother about their marital status, hobbies or interests, as they have little direct relevance to an individual's ability to perform a job effectively. They believe that an employer's decision should be solely on the basis of education, skills and professional expertise. For example, for the job of a receptionist, marital status has nothing to do with the job requirements.

In conclusion, although some demographics are not in favour of discussing such personal details during the recruitment process, I believe it provides vital information to the employers which assists in better job allocation and improves work productivity.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, discussing both views and providing a clear personal opinion. The ideas are relevant and well-developed, particularly the argument regarding how personal interests can inform role allocation. The position is consistent throughout the essay. To reach a higher band, the student could provide more nuanced examples; for instance, the example of a receptionist's marital status is a bit simplistic. Overall, the response is well-focused and meets the requirements of the task effectively.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, two body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand', 'Moreover', and 'In conclusion' are used effectively to guide the reader through the argument. Paragraphing is used appropriately, with each paragraph focusing on a central theme. The progression of ideas is smooth, and the relationship between sentences is clear. The writing is easy to follow, and the structure supports the development of the argument well.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

The vocabulary is sufficient and appropriate for the task. The student uses a range of topic-specific vocabulary such as 'imperative', 'workplace adaptability', 'professional expertise', and 'recruitment process'. There is a good level of precision in word choice, and the language is natural. While the range is adequate, it could be further enhanced by incorporating more sophisticated collocations or idiomatic expressions to demonstrate a higher level of lexical flexibility. There are no significant spelling or word-choice errors.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay demonstrates a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. The grammar is generally accurate, with very few errors. Complex structures, such as the conditional sentence 'if a candidate's interest is in arts, it is best to recruit them...', are handled well. Punctuation is used correctly throughout. The writing is clear and error-free for the most part, which allows the reader to focus on the content without distraction. The control over grammar is consistent and reliable.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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