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
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 8.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 8.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 8.0 |
| Overall | 8.0 |
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 organised group activities and the advantages of independent play—and provided a clear personal opinion that advocates for a balance between the two. The ideas are well-developed with relevant examples, such as the mention of football teams to illustrate cooperation and reading or drawing to illustrate independent creativity. The position is consistent throughout the essay, and the conclusion effectively synthesises the arguments presented. The structure is logical and meets all the requirements of the prompt.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0
The essay demonstrates a clear logical progression. Each paragraph has a central topic, and the transition between the two viewpoints is smooth, using appropriate cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand' and 'On the other hand'. The paragraphing is skilful, with a clear introduction, two body paragraphs, a personal view section, and a conclusion. Referencing is accurate, and the flow of ideas is natural and easy to follow. There is no evidence of mechanical or repetitive use of linking words, making the overall structure very coherent.
Lexical Resource — Band 7.5
You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey your ideas with precision. Phrases such as 'social and personal development', 'collaborative environments', 'foster creativity', and 'strive to maintain a sensible balance' demonstrate a good command of language. The vocabulary is natural and appropriate for the formal tone of an IELTS essay. While the range is solid, incorporating a few more sophisticated or idiomatic collocations could elevate the response further. There are no spelling errors, and word choice is consistently accurate throughout the text.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0
The essay displays a high level of grammatical accuracy. You have successfully used a variety of complex sentence structures, such as conditional-like constructions ('When children are not... they have to...') and participial phrases. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation is excellent. There is a good mix of simple and complex forms, and the grammar never impedes communication. The writing is polished and demonstrates a strong grasp of English syntax, which is consistent with a high band score.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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