Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-08-29

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)

he relevance of asking job applicants for personal information, such as their marital status, hobbies and interests, is often debated. While hobbies and interests can provide employers with useful insight into a candidate's personality and transferable skills, I believe that private information such as marital status should generally have no bearing on recruitment decisions.

On the one hand, hobbies and interests may help employers gain a broader understanding of an applicant beyond their academic qualifications and professional experience. Certain activities can provide indirect evidence of qualities such as teamwork, discipline, leadership and the ability to cope with pressure. For example, someone who regularly participates in team sports may have developed experience in cooperating with others, communicating effectively and working towards a shared objective. Such information can therefore complement the evidence provided by a CV and interview, particularly when interpersonal skills are important for the role.

On the other hand, personal information that has little connection with job requirements can lead to unfair assumptions and discriminatory decisions. Marital status, for instance, does not necessarily indicate a person's commitment, availability or ability to perform their duties. An employer might assume that a married applicant will have greater family responsibilities and therefore be less willing to work overtime or travel, despite having extensive relevant experience. As a result, a highly qualified candidate could be rejected for reasons unrelated to professional competence.

In conclusion, employers may reasonably ask about hobbies and interests when these can provide useful insight into skills relevant to the position. However, personal details such as marital status should generally not influence recruitment decisions, as they can be intrusive and may encourage unfair assumptions. Ultimately, applicants should be assessed primarily on their qualifications, experience and suitability for the role.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You have clearly discussed both sides of the argument—the potential utility of hobbies in assessing soft skills and the potential for discrimination regarding marital status—and provided a clear personal position throughout. The ideas are well-developed and supported with logical reasoning and relevant examples, such as the link between team sports and interpersonal skills. The conclusion effectively synthesizes your position, ensuring the response remains focused and relevant to the task requirements.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between the two viewpoints is smooth, using appropriate cohesive devices like 'On the one hand' and 'On the other hand'. Referencing is clear, and the paragraphing is used effectively to separate the different aspects of the argument. The flow is natural, and the relationship between sentences is consistently logical, making the text easy to follow from start to finish.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary that is appropriate for the task. Phrases such as 'transferable skills', 'professional competence', and 'indirect evidence' show a level of sophistication. The word choice is generally precise, and there are no significant errors in collocation. While the vocabulary is effective and fits the context well, incorporating a few more nuanced or less common lexical items could elevate the response to a higher band. Overall, the language is accurate and contributes to a professional tone.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay displays a high level of grammatical control. You use a variety of complex sentence structures, such as conditional clauses and relative clauses, with high accuracy. Punctuation is used correctly to manage sentence flow, and there are no noticeable errors that impede communication. The majority of your sentences are error-free, reflecting a strong command of English grammar. The writing is polished and demonstrates the flexibility required for a high band score.

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

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