Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-08-09
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 6.5)
In recent years, parents are investing a lot on their children activities. While some people believe that children should be encouraged to participate in group activities, others argue that they should learn how to occupy themselves on their own. This essay will discuss both views before giving my opinion.
On the one hand, many people feel that encouraging children to take part in organized group activities is beneficial. These activities can help a child to learn many importance life skills such as team work, adjustment and equality, since they play with a group, where they may compromise their choices and think as a team. Moreover, this phenomenon can prepare them for future, because eventually they have to work or live with many people.
On the other hand, many individuals comment that it is significant for children to learn how to spend their free time by themselves. It can make a person self dependent and may develop an ability to solve all problem by own. In some situations, individuals may not have other people company, so if they learn during their childhood to play alone, they may solve the issue easily.
I believe that children should be motivated for both to take part in group activities and to occupy themselves on their own, but in moderation. It is because these both ways can develop important skills that could be helpful for a better future.
In conclusion, it is often argued that children should either encourage to participate in group activities or play individually. I think both ways of activities are vital for overall development of a child.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 6.0 |
| Overall | 6.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5
The response addresses all parts of the prompt by discussing both viewpoints and providing a clear personal opinion. The ideas are relevant, such as the benefits of teamwork versus the development of self-reliance. However, the development of these ideas is somewhat limited; for instance, the explanation of 'adjustment and equality' is brief and could be further extended with more specific examples or deeper analysis. The position is consistent throughout the essay, and the conclusion effectively summarizes the main points. To reach a higher band, ensure that each supporting point is fully explored with more depth and illustrative detail.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0
The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the two viewpoints. Cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand', 'Moreover', and 'In conclusion' are used to guide the reader through the argument. However, some transitions feel slightly mechanical, and there are minor issues with referencing, such as 'this phenomenon' which refers back to a broad concept rather than a specific noun. Overall, the flow of ideas is clear and easy to follow, meeting the requirements for a coherent response.
Lexical Resource — Band 6.0
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, allowing the writer to express their ideas clearly. There are some attempts at less common vocabulary, such as 'self dependent' and 'moderation'. However, there are some inaccuracies in word choice and collocation, such as 'investing a lot on their children activities' (should be 'investing a lot in their children's activities') and 'importance life skills' (should be 'important life skills'). The range is sufficient to communicate, but lacks the precision and flexibility required for higher bands.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0
The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is generally clear, there are frequent grammatical errors, particularly with articles, pluralization, and verb forms (e.g., 'solve all problem by own' should be 'solve all problems on their own', and 'should either encourage' should be 'should either be encouraged'). These errors are noticeable but do not significantly impede communication. To improve, the student should focus on subject-verb agreement and the correct use of passive voice constructions.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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