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 applicant's background to assign them to a role in which their interests align with their job responsibilities.

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, since shared values foster better team cohesion. 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 benefit mutually.

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 applicant's qualifications, 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 people are not in favour of discussing personal details during the recruitment process, I believe it provides vital information to the employers which assists in better job allocation, work adaptability and work productivity.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, discussing both sides of the argument and providing a clear personal opinion in the introduction and conclusion. The ideas are relevant and well-developed, such as the link between personal interests and team placement. The position is consistent throughout the essay. To reach a higher band, the student could provide more nuanced examples; for instance, the example regarding the 'creative team' is a good start, but further explanation of how marital status specifically impacts professional assessment could have strengthened the counter-argument section. Overall, the task is fully addressed with a clear, logical flow of ideas.

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 sides of the argument is smooth, using appropriate cohesive devices like 'On the one hand' and 'On the other hand'. Referencing is generally clear, and the paragraphing is sufficient. The use of linking words such as 'Moreover' and 'This is because' helps to maintain the flow of the argument. The structure is coherent, and the reader is guided effectively through the writer's reasoning process from start to finish.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

The vocabulary is sufficient and appropriate for the task. The student uses a range of topic-specific terms such as 'recruitment process', 'workplace adaptability', and 'professional expertise'. There is some flexibility in word choice, though it does not consistently reach the level of 'uncommon' or 'sophisticated' lexical items required for the highest bands. The collocations are generally natural, and there are no significant errors in word choice that impede meaning. To improve, the student could incorporate more precise academic vocabulary to elevate the tone further.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay demonstrates a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. The control of grammar is generally strong, with many error-free sentences. There are minor slips, such as the missing article in 'know applicant's background' (should be 'the applicant's') and 'on the basis of applicant's qualifications' (should be 'the applicant's'). However, these errors are infrequent and do not interfere with communication. The punctuation is used correctly throughout, and the complex structures are handled with reasonable accuracy. The writing is clear and demonstrates a solid command of English grammar.

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

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