Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-08-20

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 6.0)

Some people believe that parents should motivate their children to take part in organised group activities in their free time, while others argue that the kids should learn how to occupy themselves on their own. Children can learn better if they spend time in group activities, as well as get some free time to think and play independently.

On the one hand, it is crucial for younsters to take part in group activities such as dancing, football, basketball, trecking and so on. During group activities they learn how to socialise and develop communication skills and confidence. Furthermore, games like football makes them physically and mentally strong. Children learn how to play as a team and the foster good friendships. Another advantage is that they can improve their interpersonal skills.

On the other hand, supporters of independent learning argue that unstructured routine help children to learn about decision-making and personality development. They can find out their interests on their own and further develop them. Another benefit is that they learn about control their mind and innovative thinking. Children who spend their time independtly never depend on others.

From my perspective, a balanced approach would work positively in this case. Many organised activities can make their routine hectic and more time spending alone can make them introvert.

To conclude, children can spend their free time in group activities and learn about important life lessons. However, quality time alone can help them to reshape their thoughts and perspectives. A balanced approach would be more beneficial.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response addresses both sides of the argument and provides a clear personal opinion. However, the development of ideas is somewhat limited. For instance, while you mention that group activities help with 'interpersonal skills,' this point is not fully extended with a concrete example. Similarly, the discussion on independent play is brief. To reach a higher band, you should expand on your points by explaining the 'why' and 'how' more thoroughly. The conclusion is clear, but the overall depth of the essay is closer to the Band 6 level, as some ideas are presented as lists rather than fully explored arguments.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized into paragraphs, with a clear introduction, body paragraphs for each viewpoint, and a conclusion. You use basic cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand,' 'Furthermore,' and 'To conclude' to link ideas. However, the progression of ideas within paragraphs is sometimes mechanical. For example, the transition between 'games like football' and 'interpersonal skills' feels abrupt. Additionally, some referencing is slightly unclear, such as the use of 'they' in the third paragraph, which could refer to either the children or the supporters. Improving the variety of linking words would enhance the flow.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'unstructured routine,' 'interpersonal skills,' and 'innovative thinking.' However, there are some inaccuracies in word choice and collocation, such as 'the foster good friendships' (should be 'they foster') and 'learn about control their mind' (should be 'learn to control their minds'). There are also minor spelling errors like 'younsters' and 'independtly.' While these do not impede communication, they prevent the essay from reaching a higher band. Using more precise vocabulary would strengthen your writing.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While you attempt complex sentences, there are frequent grammatical errors, such as subject-verb agreement issues ('games like football makes them') and missing prepositions or articles. Punctuation is generally acceptable, but the sentence structure could be more varied to demonstrate greater control. The errors are noticeable but do not prevent the reader from understanding your main points. To improve, focus on proofreading for basic subject-verb agreement and ensuring that complex sentence structures are grammatically sound.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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