Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-09-30

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)

In the modern corporate recruitment process, companies occasionally request non-professional details from candidates, including marital status and leisure pursuits. While proponents argue that such personal insights aid in cultural alignment and team cohesion, opponents contend that this practice is invasive and prone to discrimination. In my view, while hobbies can provide a helpful indicator of interpersonal skills, inquiring about marital status is entirely irrelevant and should be omitted from hiring decisions.

On the one hand, gathering personal details believe that a candidate's hobbies and interests offer valuable insights into their character beyond a resume. Participating in team sports, creative arts, or community groups can demonstrate soft skills such as leadership, time management, and collaboration. For instance, a candidate who captains a local football team often exhibits strong collaborative abilities that translate well into a corporate workspace. Furthermore, human resource managers may use these insights to assess whether an applicant’s lifestyle and personality align with the company's organizational culture, thereby fostering a harmonious and engaged workforce.

On the other hand, requesting personal information—particularly regarding marital status—violates professional boundaries and opens the door to unconscious bias. Family status, such as whether someone is married or planning to have children, has zero correlation with an individual’s technical competence or job performance. In fact, utilizing such data risks introducing discriminatory hiring practices, such as unfairly penalizing female candidates based on outdated assumptions about domestic obligations. Strict privacy regulations in many jurisdictions rightfully discourage or prohibit questions regarding personal relationships to ensure that recruitment remains strictly Performance-driven.

In conclusion, while understanding a candidate’s hobbies can sometimes assist employers in evaluating cultural fit and teamwork, probing into marital status is unjustified and discriminatory. Ultimately, recruitment procedures must focus entirely on professional qualifications and job-related competencies to guarantee fairness and equal opportunity for all applicants.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the task by discussing both views on whether employers should request personal information like hobbies and marital status, and presents a clear, well-supported personal opinion throughout. In the introduction, the writer establishes a nuanced stance, arguing that hobbies can be useful while marital status is irrelevant. Body paragraph one thoroughly examines the positive view regarding hobbies and soft skills, providing a relevant example about a football team captain. Body paragraph two effectively contrasts this by explaining the risks of bias and discrimination associated with marital status. The conclusion succinctly summarises the main points. Ideas are well developed and supported with relevant reasoning, meeting the criteria for a high band score.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.5

The essay demonstrates a clear, logical organisation and progression throughout. Each paragraph has a distinct central topic, moving smoothly from the introduction to the balanced body paragraphs and finally to a concise conclusion. Cohesive devices are used effectively and naturally, such as 'While proponents argue', 'For instance', 'Furthermore', and 'On the other hand'. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the two opposing viewpoints. Referencing and substitution are handled with precision, ensuring that the relationships between ideas are always transparent. The overall flow of the text is smooth, guiding the reader effortlessly from one argument to the next without any noticeable mechanical or awkward transitions.

Lexical Resource: Band 7.0

The writer displays a wide and flexible lexical resource, utilizing sophisticated and precise vocabulary suited to the prompt. Examples of advanced terminology include 'corporate recruitment process', 'cultural alignment', 'team cohesion', 'unconscious bias', and 'technical competence'. Less common lexical items are used with a strong awareness of collocation and style, such as 'interpersonal skills', 'organizational culture', and 'discriminatory hiring practices'. There are only occasional minor lapses, such as a slight grammatical slip in the phrasing 'gathering personal details believe that', but overall the vocabulary is fluent, natural, and allows for precise expression of complex ideas throughout the essay.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 7.5

The essay features a wide range of complex grammatical structures used with a high degree of flexibility and accuracy. The majority of sentences are error-free, showcasing excellent control over subordination, relative clauses, and participial phrases, as seen in sentences like 'Participating in team sports, creative arts, or community groups can demonstrate soft skills such as leadership...' Punctuation is handled accurately throughout. There is a single minor grammatical error near the start of the second body paragraph ('gathering personal details believe that'), where the subject-verb structure is slightly tangled, but this is an isolated slip. Overall, the grammatical control is strong and supports clear communication of sophisticated arguments.

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