Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-07-29

IELTS Writing Task 2 question

Some people say that parents should encourage their children to take part in organised group activities in their free time. Others say that it is important for children to learn how to occupy themselves on their own.

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 8.0)

In today's fast-paced world, there is an ongoing debate about how children should spend their leisure time. Some people argue that parents should encourage their children to participate in organized group activities, while others believe that children should learn to entertain themselves independently. Although both perspectives have their own merits, I believe that a balance is ideal, with slightly greater emphasis on group activities during childhood.

On the one hand, organized group activities play a crucial role in a child's social and emotional development. Activities such as team sports, music classes, drama clubs, and community projects provide opportunities for children to communicate, cooperate, and solve problems with others. These experiences help them develop essential life skills, including teamwork, leadership, and conflict resolution, which are difficult to acquire through solitary activities alone. Furthermore, structured environments allow children to learn discipline, responsibility, and time management. For example, a child who regularly participates in a football team not only improves physical fitness but also learns the importance of supporting teammates and working towards shared goals.

On the other hand, spending time alone is equally valuable because it encourages independence and creativity. When children are left to occupy themselves, they learn to make decisions, solve problems, and manage boredom without relying on constant guidance or entertainment. Such experiences can foster imagination, particularly when children engage in activities like reading, drawing, or building models. Moreover, independent play helps children become more self-reliant, a quality that will benefit them throughout adulthood. For instance, a child who enjoys reading books or experimenting with art at home may develop stronger concentration and creative thinking than one who is constantly involved in scheduled

In my opinion, both approaches contribute significantly to a child's overall development. However, I believe organized group activities should be given slightly more importance during the early years because they provide opportunities to develop social skills that cannot easily be learned later in life. Nevertheless, parents should also ensure that children have sufficient unstructured time to explore their interests independently and develop confidence in their own abilities.

In conclusion, while independent leisure activities help children become creative and self-sufficient, organized group activities are invaluable for developing communication, cooperation, and interpersonal skills. Therefore, parents should aim to strike a healthy balance between the two rather than relying exclusively on either approach.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response fully addresses all parts of the task. You have clearly discussed both perspectives—the benefits of organized group activities and the value of independent play—and provided a well-reasoned personal opinion. The ideas are extended and supported with relevant examples, such as the mention of team sports for social skills and reading or art for creativity. The position is consistent throughout the essay, and the conclusion effectively synthesizes the arguments. To reach a higher band, ensure that all sentences are complete; the second paragraph ends abruptly with 'scheduled', which is a minor omission that slightly affects the development of that specific point.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central topic, and the transition between the two viewpoints is smooth, using appropriate cohesive devices like 'On the one hand', 'On the other hand', and 'Furthermore'. The paragraphing is used effectively to separate the different arguments. The referencing is clear, and the flow of the argument is easy to follow. The structure is coherent, and the use of linking words is natural rather than mechanical, which supports a strong score in this criterion.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.0

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with precision. Phrases such as 'fast-paced world', 'social and emotional development', 'conflict resolution', and 'self-sufficient' show a good command of topic-specific language. There is an awareness of style and collocation, and the vocabulary is used accurately throughout the text. While the range is good, incorporating a few more sophisticated or less common idiomatic expressions could elevate the lexical resource to an even higher level. Overall, the vocabulary is natural and effectively conveys your meaning.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The essay displays a good variety of complex structures, such as conditional-like constructions and subordinate clauses (e.g., 'Although both perspectives have their own merits, I believe...'). The majority of sentences are error-free, and your control of punctuation is generally strong. There is a minor grammatical slip in the second paragraph where the sentence ends prematurely ('...constantly involved in scheduled'), but this does not significantly impede communication. Your use of verb tenses and subject-verb agreement is accurate, reflecting a high level of grammatical control.

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