Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-09-13

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 7.0)

Some employers ask job applicants for personal information, such as their hobbies, interests and marital status. While some people believe that this information is useful, others think it is unnecessary. I believe that hobbies and interests can sometimes be relevant, but marital status should not normally be considered.

First of all, personal interests can provide employers with useful information about a candidate. For example, if a person enjoys playing team sports, it may show that they can work well with others. Similarly, hobbies such as reading, volunteering or learning new skills may demonstrate qualities such as discipline, creativity and a willingness to improve. This information can therefore help employers understand an applicant beyond their educational qualifications and work experience.

However, some people argue that employers should focus only on information directly related to the job. In particular, marital status should not affect a person’s chances of getting employment. A person’s ability to perform a job does not depend on whether they are married or single. Asking about such private matters could also lead to unfair discrimination. For instance, an employer might wrongly assume that a married person has more family responsibilities and therefore may be less flexible at work.

In my opinion, employers can ask about hobbies and interests when these are relevant to the position, but they should avoid asking about private information such as marital status.

In conclusion, although some personal information can help employers understand candidates better, job-related qualifications should always be given greater importance.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response addresses all parts of the task by discussing both views (that personal information is useful versus unnecessary) and clearly presenting the writer's own opinion throughout. For instance, the introduction states, 'I believe that hobbies and interests can sometimes be relevant, but marital status should not normally be considered.' The body paragraphs provide clear, relevant arguments and examples, such as linking team sports to teamwork and discussing the risk of discrimination regarding marital status. Ideas are well developed and extended. However, as explicitly noted in the length check, the essay contains 248 words, falling just two words short of the 250-word minimum requirement. This minor under-length constraint prevents the task achievement score from reaching higher bands, capping it at a Band 6.0 despite the quality of the content.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The essay demonstrates a clear overall progression and logical organisation throughout. Each paragraph has a distinct focus, moving from a clear introduction to well-structured body paragraphs exploring both perspectives, followed by a nuanced opinion and a concise conclusion. Paragraphing is used appropriately. Cohesive devices are employed naturally to connect ideas, such as 'First of all,' 'Similarly,' and 'For instance.' Referencing is generally clear, with pronouns and demonstratives used effectively to maintain flow. Although the cohesive framework is slightly formulaic in places, it manages the flow of information smoothly and ensures the reader can easily follow the writer's line of argument, meeting all criteria for a Band 7.0.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

The student uses a sufficient range of vocabulary to allow some flexibility and precision, such as 'educational qualifications,' 'work experience,' 'unfair discrimination,' and 'family responsibilities.' Less common lexical items are attempted with adequate awareness of style and collocation, as seen in phrases like 'perform a job' and 'flexibility at work.' Word choice is generally appropriate and effective for the topic. While the vocabulary is not particularly advanced or sophisticated enough to secure a Band 8.0, there are very few errors and the language is fully natural and functional, easily satisfying the requirements for Band 7.0.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The response exhibits a good variety of complex sentence structures, including conditional structures ('if a person enjoys playing team sports...') and subordinate clauses ('whether they are married or single'). The majority of sentences are error-free, and the writer demonstrates good control of grammar and punctuation. There are no noticeable grammatical errors or awkward phrasings that impede communication. The control over complex forms combined with high accuracy across the text justifies a solid Band 7.0 score for this criterion.

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