Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-09-03

IELTS Writing Task 2 question

Some people say that in all levels of education, from primary schools to universities, too much time is spent on learning facts and not enough on learning practical skills.

Do you agree or disagree?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

 

Student answer (Band 7.0)

Education is a main pillar of our lives. Some people believe that educational institutions spend too much time teaching theoretical knowledge and not enough time developing practical skills. I firmly concur with this statement because practical abilities receive greater attention, while it is neglected that factual knowledge remains an essential part of education.

To begin with, practical knowledge plays a vital role in all children's lives because they prepare students for real-life situations and employment opportunities. It also enhances them with confidence and teaches them how to deal with difficult situations related to work or personal life. For example, business students have knowledge related to business and administration, but they do not know how to handle customers, how to make reports, assignments, projects, or manage a team; they may find it difficult in the real world. Thus, schools or universities should provide some adequate activities where students can gain practical knowledge.

On the other hand, factual knowledge provides the foundation on which practical skills are built. Students can not effectively apply the concept if they do not understand the actual principle behind it. For instance, medical students cannot prepare formulas without appropriate measurements to make medicines. Similarly, engineering students must know the mathematics and statistics before they design something. Consequently, theoretical knowledge is essential for the development of students.

In conclusion, although practical skills are required to tackle real-life scenarios, factual knowledge is also important for basic knowledge. A balanced education that combines theoretical understanding with practical experience is the most effective way to prepare students for their future.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response addresses all parts of the task and maintains a clear position throughout. You acknowledge the importance of both practical skills and theoretical knowledge, ultimately arguing for a balanced approach. The ideas are relevant and supported with examples, such as the mention of business and medical students. However, the development could be more nuanced; for instance, the introduction states you 'firmly concur' with the statement, but your subsequent argument actually presents a more balanced view rather than a full agreement. To reach a higher band, ensure your thesis statement perfectly aligns with the depth of your body paragraphs. Overall, the response is well-focused and directly answers the prompt.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and you use cohesive devices such as 'To begin with,' 'On the other hand,' and 'Consequently' to link your points effectively. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different aspects of your argument. While the flow is generally smooth, some transitions could be more sophisticated to avoid a slightly mechanical feel. For example, the link between the introduction and the first body paragraph is clear, but the internal cohesion within the second paragraph could be improved by varying the sentence structures more frequently to enhance the logical flow.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'theoretical knowledge,' 'employment opportunities,' and 'tackle real-life scenarios.' There is an attempt to use less common items, which is generally successful. However, there are some minor inaccuracies in collocation and word choice, such as 'enhances them with confidence' (which should be 'builds their confidence' or 'instills confidence in them'). To improve, focus on using more precise collocations and idiomatic expressions. The vocabulary is sufficient to convey your meaning clearly, but it lacks the flexibility and sophisticated control required for a higher band score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, which is appropriate for this task. There are several error-free sentences, and your control of grammar is generally good. However, there are occasional errors, such as 'Students can not effectively apply the concept if they do not understand the actual principle' (where 'the concept' should be pluralized to 'concepts') and 'it is neglected that factual knowledge remains' (which is slightly awkward phrasing). While these errors do not impede communication, they prevent the essay from reaching the higher bands where the majority of sentences must be error-free. Increasing the variety of complex structures would also help.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.