Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-08-03
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 7.5)
Some people believe that parents should encourage their children to join organised group activities in their free time, while others think children should spend time alone and learn to entertain themselves. This essay will discuss both views before giving my opinion.
On the one hand, taking part in organised group activities has many advantages for children. They can learn important social skills such as teamwork, communication, and cooperation. For example, children who play football or join a music club learn how to work with others and respect different opinions. These activities also help children make new friends and become more confident. In addition, organised activities keep children busy and reduce the time they spend on mobile phones or video games.
On the other hand, spending time alone is also important. Children need to learn how to solve problems by themselves and become independent. They can read books, draw pictures, or build models, which helps improve their creativity and imagination. Furthermore, learning to enjoy their own company can make children more responsible and better prepared for adult life. For instance, a child who studies or practises a hobby alone may develop better concentration and self-discipline.
In my opinion, both activities are necessary, but I believe organised group activities are slightly more beneficial. Children need opportunities to interact with others because social skills are essential in school and future workplaces. However, parents should also allow their children some free time to explore their own interests and become independent.
In conclusion, although spending time alone helps children develop independence and creativity, organised group activities provide valuable social skills. Therefore, I believe a balance of both is the best way to support a child's development.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 8.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.5 |
| Overall | 7.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5
The response addresses all parts of the prompt, discussing both perspectives and providing a clear personal opinion. The ideas are relevant and well-supported with examples, such as football for group activities and reading or building models for solitary time. The position is consistent throughout the essay. To reach a higher band, the development of ideas could be more nuanced; for instance, exploring the potential downsides of over-scheduling children in group activities or the specific psychological benefits of solitude beyond just 'independence' would add greater depth to the argument.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0
The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Cohesive devices are used effectively, such as 'On the one hand,' 'In addition,' and 'Furthermore,' which guide the reader through the argument smoothly. Paragraphing is used appropriately, with each paragraph focusing on a central theme. The progression of ideas is clear, moving from the benefits of group activities to the benefits of solitary time, and finally to a balanced conclusion. The flow is natural and easy to follow throughout the text.
Lexical Resource — Band 7.0
The vocabulary is sufficient and appropriate for the task. The student uses a range of topic-specific terms like 'organised group activities,' 'social skills,' 'cooperation,' and 'self-discipline.' While the word choice is accurate and natural, it remains somewhat standard. To achieve a higher band, the student could incorporate more sophisticated or less common collocations and idiomatic expressions, such as 'foster interpersonal skills' instead of 'learn important social skills' or 'nurture autonomy' instead of 'become independent.'
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5
The essay demonstrates a good command of grammatical structures. There is a mix of simple and complex sentences, such as the use of conditional-like structures and relative clauses (e.g., 'children who play football...'). The punctuation is accurate, and the sentences are generally error-free. The control over grammar is consistent, and there are no significant errors that impede communication. To move into the higher bands, the student could experiment with a wider variety of complex structures, such as inversion or more advanced passive constructions, to demonstrate greater flexibility.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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