Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-08-29
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 to entertain themselves independently. Both views have their merits, but I believe that a balance between the two is the most beneficial approach.
On the one hand, organised group activities can help children develop important social skills. By taking part in sports teams, music groups, or clubs, children learn how to cooperate with others, communicate effectively, and respect different opinions. These activities can also teach valuable qualities such as discipline, leadership, and responsibility. For example, a child who regularly plays football with a team may learn how to work towards a common goal and deal with both success and failure. Furthermore, group activities can help children make friends and become more confident.
On the other hand, spending time alone is also essential for a child’s development. When children are not constantly directed by parents or organised activities, they have an opportunity to use their imagination and make their own decisions. Reading books, drawing, building models, or simply playing independently can encourage creativity and problem-solving skills. For instance, a child who creates their own game must decide on rules and solve problems without relying on adults or other children.
In my opinion, parents should provide opportunities for both types of activities. Although group activities are important for social development, children also need unstructured time to become independent and creative. Therefore, a combination of organised activities and independent play is the best way to support a child’s overall development.
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 sides of the argument—the benefits of organised group activities and the value of independent play—and provided a clear personal opinion in the introduction and conclusion. The ideas are well-developed with relevant examples, such as the mention of football for teamwork and creative tasks like building models for independence. The position is consistent throughout the essay, and the arguments are logically extended, meeting the requirements for a high band score.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0
The essay is logically organised with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central topic sentence, and the transition between the two viewpoints is smooth, using appropriate cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand', 'On the other hand', and 'Furthermore'. Paragraphing is used effectively to separate the different arguments. The flow of information is natural, and the relationship between ideas is easy to follow throughout the response.
Lexical Resource — Band 7.0
You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey your ideas with precision. Phrases like 'unstructured time', 'overall development', and 'cooperate with others' demonstrate a good command of language. While the vocabulary is accurate and appropriate for the task, it is functional rather than highly sophisticated. To reach a higher band, you could incorporate more nuanced collocations or less common lexical items to demonstrate greater flexibility and style.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0
The essay displays a good variety of complex sentence structures, such as the use of conditional-like structures ('When children are not...') and concessive clauses ('Although group activities are...'). The grammar is highly accurate, with no significant errors that impede communication. Punctuation is used correctly throughout. The majority of your sentences are error-free, which indicates a strong command of English grammar, though a slightly wider range of advanced structures could further elevate the score.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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