Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-08-27
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, while others argue that children should learn how to entertain themselves independently. Although group activities can help children develop important social skills, I believe that spending some time alone is equally valuable, and children should experience a balance of both.
On the one hand, organised group activities can provide children with several important benefits. First, they allow young people to develop communication and teamwork skills. For example, children who participate in sports such as football or basketball have to cooperate with their teammates and learn how to follow rules. These skills can be useful later in their education and professional lives. Furthermore, group activities provide opportunities for children to make friends and become more confident when interacting with others. They can also learn important qualities such as discipline, responsibility and respect for other people.
On the other hand, learning to occupy oneself can help children become more independent and creative. When children are not constantly guided by their parents or friends, they have to decide how to spend their own time. For instance, they may choose to read a book, draw pictures, build something with toys or develop another personal interest. This can improve their ability to make decisions and solve problems independently. In addition, having some time alone can allow children to discover their own interests rather than simply following what their friends enjoy.
In my opinion, both types of activities are important for a child's development. Parents should encourage children to participate in group activities, but they should also give them enough freedom to spend some of their free time independently. This balanced approach can help children become both socially confident and self-reliant.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 8.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 8.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 8.0 |
| Overall | 8.0 |
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 group activities and the value of independent play—and provided a clear personal opinion in the introduction and conclusion. The ideas are well-developed and supported with relevant examples, such as the mention of sports for teamwork and creative activities like reading or drawing for independence. The position is consistent throughout the essay, and the arguments are logically extended, meeting the requirements for a high band score in this criterion.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0
The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. 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', 'Furthermore', and 'In addition'. Paragraphing is used effectively to separate the different arguments. The flow of information is natural, and the relationship between sentences is clear, making the essay easy to follow. There is no evidence of mechanical or repetitive use of linking words, demonstrating a good command of textual cohesion.
Lexical Resource — Band 7.0
You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with precision. Phrases like 'develop communication and teamwork skills', 'constantly guided', and 'socially confident and self-reliant' demonstrate a good level of lexical control. While the vocabulary is accurate and appropriate for the context, it is functional rather than highly sophisticated or idiomatic. To reach a higher band, you could incorporate more nuanced collocations or less common academic vocabulary. However, the current range is more than adequate for the task, and there are no errors in word choice that impede communication.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0
The essay displays a good variety of complex sentence structures, such as the use of conditional and concessive clauses (e.g., 'Although group activities can help...', 'When children are not constantly guided...'). The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation and grammar is strong. There are no significant errors that cause confusion or strain the reader. The grammatical range is sufficient to express complex ideas clearly, and the accuracy is consistent throughout the text, which is characteristic of a high-level performance.
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