Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-08-17

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)

Some people believe that parents should encourage their children to participate in organised group activities during their free time, whereas others argue that children should learn to entertain themselves independently. This essay will discuss both perspectives before explaining why I believe a balance between the two is most beneficial.

On the one hand, organised group activities can play a crucial role in a child’s social and personal development. Participating in sports teams, music classes or community groups teaches children how to cooperate, communicate and respect others. They also learn important qualities such as discipline, leadership and commitment. For example, a child who regularly plays football with a team must learn to follow instructions, manage disagreements and work towards a common goal. Such experiences can build confidence and prepare children for collaborative environments at school and in their future careers.

On the other hand, allowing children to occupy themselves independently can foster creativity, self-reliance and problem-solving skills. When children are not constantly given structured activities, they have to decide how to use their time, which encourages them to explore their own interests. For instance, a child who spends an afternoon reading, drawing or building something may develop imagination and learn to overcome challenges without adult assistance. This independence can be particularly valuable as children grow older and become responsible for their own decisions.

In my view, neither approach should be adopted exclusively. Parents should provide opportunities for organised activities while also giving children sufficient unstructured time. A healthy combination would enable youngsters to develop both strong interpersonal skills and the ability to think and act independently.

In conclusion, although group activities promote cooperation and social development, independent play is equally important for creativity and self-reliance. Therefore, parents should strive to maintain a sensible balance between the two.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You have clearly discussed both perspectives—the benefits of organised group activities and the advantages of independent play—and provided a well-reasoned personal opinion. The ideas are well-developed with relevant examples, such as the mention of football for teamwork and reading or drawing for individual creativity. The position is clear from the introduction and is maintained consistently throughout the essay. The structure is logical, and the conclusion effectively synthesises the arguments presented. The response is balanced and demonstrates a strong understanding of the task requirements.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The essay is logically organised with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central topic, and the transition between the two viewpoints is smooth, using effective cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand' and 'On the other hand'. The use of referencing is precise, and the paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct arguments. The flow of the essay is natural, and the relationship between ideas is easy to follow. There is no evidence of mechanical or repetitive use of linking words, which contributes to the overall clarity and coherence of the piece.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary that is appropriate for the task. Phrases such as 'social and personal development', 'collaborative environments', and 'foster creativity' show a level of sophistication. While the vocabulary is accurate and conveys your meaning clearly, it could be elevated further by incorporating more precise or academic collocations. The current range is sufficient to express your ideas with flexibility and precision. There are no spelling errors, and the word choice is consistently natural throughout the response, meeting the requirements for a high band score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The essay displays a wide range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences and varied clause types. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation is excellent. You have used a variety of sentence forms, such as 'When children are not constantly given structured activities, they have to decide...', which demonstrates good command of complex syntax. There are no significant grammatical errors that impede communication. The writing is polished and shows a high level of accuracy, consistent with the criteria for a high band score.

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