Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-09-18

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 7.5)

Some people argue that educational institutions focus too much on teaching facts and not enough on practical skills. I agree with this view because although factual knowledge is important, students also need practical abilities to deal with real-life situations and future employment.

Firstly, learning practical skills can help students apply the knowledge they gain in the classroom. For example, university students may spend several years studying theories related to their chosen profession, but they may struggle when they have to perform actual tasks in a workplace. Providing students with opportunities such as internships, group projects and practical training would allow them to understand how their academic knowledge can be used in real situations. This can also make education more engaging and meaningful.

Secondly, practical skills are essential for everyday life. Schools could teach students useful abilities such as managing money, preparing a budget, communicating effectively, solving problems and working as part of a team. These skills can be valuable regardless of a person's future career. In contrast, some facts that students memorise for examinations may not be useful after they complete their education. Therefore, education should prepare students not only to pass tests but also to become independent and capable adults.

However, factual knowledge should not be completely removed from education. A strong understanding of basic concepts is necessary before students can develop advanced practical skills. For instance, medical students need to learn about the human body before they can safely treat patients. The most effective approach is therefore to maintain a balance between theoretical knowledge and practical experience.

In conclusion, I agree that too much emphasis can sometimes be placed on memorising facts. While factual knowledge remains necessary, schools and universities should give students more opportunities to develop practical skills so that they are better prepared for both employment and everyday life.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The student has fully addressed all parts of the task prompt, presenting a clear and well-developed position throughout the essay. The introduction establishes agreement with the prompt, and this stance is maintained and supported logically across the body paragraphs. In the first and second body paragraphs, the writer extends ideas effectively by explaining why practical skills matter both in the workplace and in everyday life. Crucially, the student demonstrates balanced thinking in the third body paragraph by acknowledging that factual knowledge remains necessary as a foundation. This prevents the argument from becoming overly simplistic and elevates the quality of task response. Ideas are well-supported with relevant examples, such as medical students learning about the human body. The response completely satisfies the band 7 and band 8 descriptors for task achievement.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The essay displays a clear logical organisation and natural progression from introduction to conclusion. Paragraphing is used very effectively, with each paragraph focusing on a distinct central topic. For instance, the transition from workplace skills to everyday life is marked clearly using cohesive markers like 'Firstly' and 'Secondly'. The counter-argument is appropriately introduced using 'However', and the final paragraph brings the essay to a neat conclusion with 'In conclusion'. Cohesive devices are handled naturally without feeling overly mechanical or forced. Referencing throughout the text is clear, ensuring the reader can follow the writer's line of reasoning effortlessly. This meets the criteria for a strong band 7 or band 8 performance.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

The student demonstrates a sufficient and generally flexible range of vocabulary suitable for the task. Words and phrases such as 'educational institutions', 'factual knowledge', 'professional', 'independent and capable adults', and 'theoretical knowledge' indicate a good control of vocabulary related to the topic. Less common lexical items are used with some awareness of style and collocation, such as 'deal with real-life situations' and 'maintain a balance'. While the vocabulary does not quite reach the sophisticated flexibility required for a band 8, it easily surpasses band 6 by maintaining accuracy and avoiding basic or repetitive phrasing. Spelling and word choice are accurate throughout.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The writer exhibits a very good control of grammar and punctuation, employing a variety of complex sentence structures successfully. Examples include concessive clauses ('although factual knowledge is important'), conditional or participial integration ('when they have to perform actual tasks'), and relative clauses ('that students memorise for examinations'). The majority of sentences in the essay are error-free, and the few complex structures attempted are well-controlled without causing ambiguity or impeding communication. Punctuation is accurate throughout, separating clauses and items in lists effectively. This performance aligns comfortably with the band 7 descriptors, featuring frequent error-free sentences and a solid variety of structures.

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

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