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 applicants' 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, he might perform better in the creative team instead of the marketing team of company. By following this practice, 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 place undue emphasis on 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. Furthermore, considering such information may encourage conscious or unconscious bias, making the recruitment process less fair and objective.

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 job satisfaction.

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 well-developed, particularly the argument regarding how personal interests might indicate soft skills like teamwork or leadership. The example provided about an arts-inclined candidate in a creative team is relevant and supports the argument effectively. The position is consistent throughout the essay, and the response demonstrates a good understanding of the complexities involved in the recruitment process. To reach a higher band, the student could further extend the discussion on the potential for bias, perhaps by providing a concrete example of how such bias might manifest in a professional setting.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central topic, and the transition between the two opposing views is handled smoothly using standard cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand' and 'On the other hand'. The use of linking words like 'Moreover', 'Furthermore', and 'In conclusion' helps guide the reader through the argument. The paragraphing is appropriate, with a clear introduction, two body paragraphs, and a conclusion. The referencing is generally clear, though some minor improvements in the variety of cohesive devices could make the flow even more natural and less mechanical.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

The student demonstrates a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with precision. Phrases such as 'undue emphasis', 'professional expertise', and 'workplace adaptability' show a good command of topic-specific language. There is an attempt to use less common lexical items, and the word choices are generally accurate. While the vocabulary is effective, it does not consistently reach the level of 'sophisticated' or 'skilful' use of uncommon items required for the highest bands. However, the language is natural and there are no errors in word choice that impede communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay displays a good variety of complex structures, such as conditional sentences ('if a candidate's interest is in arts, he might perform better') and subordinate clauses. The majority of sentences are error-free, and the control of grammar and punctuation is strong. There are very few grammatical slips, and the writing is clear and easy to follow. The student successfully uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms to convey their ideas. To improve further, the student could aim for even greater structural variety to demonstrate more flexibility in their writing.

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