Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-08-31

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 7.5)

**Introduction**

In today's fast-paced world, how children spend their leisure time is a topic of significant debate. While some argue that organized group activities foster social growth and discipline, others contend that solitary play encourages independence and creativity. In my opinion, both aspects are essential, but striking a balanced approach yields the greatest benefit for a child's development.

**Body Paragraph 1: Organized Group Activities**

Proponents of structured group activities, such as sports teams, drama clubs, or youth organizations, emphasize the value of collaboration and interpersonal skills. Participating in structured environments teaches children essential life lessons, including teamwork, communication, and emotional resilience when facing victory or defeat. Furthermore, these activities are supervised by instructors, which ensures a safe space for physical development and structured learning. For instance, children who regularly participate in team sports often demonstrate stronger cooperation skills and adaptability in group environments later in life.

**Body Paragraph 2: Independent Self-Occupation**

Conversely, advocate of self-directed free time highlight the critical role of independence and imaginative thinking. When children are left to occupy themselves without structured schedules, they learn to rely on their own internal resources to beat boredom. This unstructured environment nurtures problem-solving skills, self-reliance, and deep creativity, as children invent their own games, read, or explore personal hobbies at their own pace. Learning to manage time independently prevents over-reliance on external guidance and helps build intrinsic motivation.

**Conclusion**

To conclude, organized group activities and independent play serve distinct yet complementary roles in a child's overall development. While structured programs instill teamwork and social discipline, individual leisure time fosters autonomy and creative thought. Therefore, parents should aim for a harmonious balance, encouraging participation in group settings while allowing ample downtime for children to explore their own interests independently.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the task. You have clearly discussed both perspectives—the benefits of organized group activities and the value of independent self-occupation—and provided a clear personal opinion in the introduction and conclusion. The ideas are well-developed, with specific examples such as 'team sports' for group activities and 'inventing games' for independent play. The position is consistent throughout the essay, and the arguments are logically extended. The response is balanced and demonstrates a strong understanding of the prompt requirements, meeting the criteria for a high band score.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between the two viewpoints is smooth, aided by effective cohesive devices such as 'Furthermore', 'Conversely', and 'To conclude'. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different arguments. The referencing is clear, and the flow of information is natural throughout the text. The structure is coherent, and the use of linking words is neither mechanical nor excessive, contributing to a professional and easy-to-follow argument.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a wide and flexible range of vocabulary, which is used with precision. Phrases such as 'interpersonal skills', 'emotional resilience', 'internal resources', and 'intrinsic motivation' show a sophisticated command of language. There is a good awareness of collocation and style, and the vocabulary is consistently appropriate for an academic essay. There are no significant errors in word choice or spelling that impede communication. The range is sufficient to convey complex ideas clearly and effectively, reflecting a high level of lexical control.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay exhibits a wide range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences and varied clause types. The majority of sentences are error-free, and the control over punctuation and syntax is excellent. For example, the use of conditional-like structures and participial phrases ('When children are left to occupy themselves...', 'Participating in structured environments teaches...') is accurate and natural. There is only one minor error in the second body paragraph ('advocate of self-directed' should be 'advocates'), which is a rare slip and does not affect the overall clarity or quality of the writing.

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