Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-08-30

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. Although both approaches have benefits, I believe that a balance between the two is the most beneficial for children's development.

On the one hand, organised group activities can help children develop important social and practical skills. By participating in sports teams, clubs or other group activities, children learn how to cooperate with others, communicate effectively and follow rules. They may also develop a sense of responsibility and learn how to deal with disagreements. For example, a child who regularly plays on a football team must cooperate with teammates and learn to accept both success and failure. These experiences can help children become more confident and socially capable.

On the other hand, learning to occupy themselves independently is also important. Children who spend some of their free time alone can develop creativity, independence and problem-solving skills. They have the opportunity to decide how they want to spend their time rather than always relying on parents or organised activities for entertainment. For instance, a child who chooses to read, draw or build something independently can learn to use their imagination and solve problems without assistance.

In my opinion, parents should encourage both types of activities rather than choosing one exclusively. Group activities are valuable for developing social skills, whereas independent activities help children become self-reliant and creative. Therefore, allowing children to participate in organised activities while also giving them sufficient unstructured free time is the best approach.

In conclusion, although group activities provide valuable social benefits and independent play encourages creativity and self-reliance, children should experience both. A healthy balance can support their overall personal development.

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 value 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 football teams for group activities and reading or drawing for independent play. The position is consistent throughout the essay, and the conclusion effectively synthesises the arguments presented. The response is well-structured and meets the requirements of the task comprehensively.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The essay is logically organised with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, 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 use of referencing is accurate, and the paragraphing is logical, moving from the introduction to the body paragraphs and finally to a clear conclusion. The flow of information is natural, making the text easy to follow throughout.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey your ideas with precision. Phrases such as 'socially capable', 'self-reliant', and 'unstructured free time' demonstrate a good command of language. While the vocabulary is accurate and appropriate for the context, it is functional rather than highly sophisticated. To reach a higher band, you could incorporate more precise collocations or less common lexical items to add nuance to your arguments. However, the current range is more than adequate for the task.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The essay demonstrates a good variety of complex structures, such as the use of conditional-like structures ('a child who regularly plays... must cooperate') and subordinate clauses ('Although both approaches have benefits...'). 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, showing strong control over sentence construction and grammatical forms.

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