Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-09-16

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 7.0)

Some people believe that parents should encourage their children to take part in organised group activities in their free time, while others argue that it is important for children to learn how to occupy themselves on their own. I strongly believe that participating in group activities is more beneficial because children can develop stronger social skills and learn important qualities for their future.

The most significant advantage of taking part in organised group activities is that children can develop their communication and teamwork skills from an early age. Group activities generally require children to cooperate with others, follow rules and share responsibilities. As a result, they can gradually become more confident when communicating and working with different people. For instance, children who regularly participate in team sports may learn how to support their teammates, solve disagreements and achieve common goals. Therefore, organised activities can help children become more confident and effective members of society.

Another important benefit is that spending time alone can help children develop independence and creativity. When youngsters are given opportunities to occupy themselves, they have to decide how to use their free time and solve problems without constant assistance from their parents. For example, a child who spends time reading, drawing or building something independently may develop greater imagination and problem-solving abilities. Consequently, learning to enjoy their own company can give children greater confidence and self-reliance in the future.

In conclusion, although some people believe that children should learn to occupy themselves independently, I strongly believe that organised group activities are more beneficial. They can improve children's communication and teamwork skills while also helping them develop important qualities such as responsibility and confidence.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response successfully addresses all parts of the task by discussing both views on children's free time activities and presenting a clear personal opinion. The writer's position is maintained consistently throughout the essay. The advantages of organised group activities are well-developed in the second paragraph, highlighting communication, teamwork, and cooperation. Interestingly, the third paragraph shifts to discuss the benefits of spending time alone, fulfilling the prompt's requirement to discuss 'both these views', before the conclusion restates the student's stance. Ideas are well-supported with relevant explanations and examples, such as team sports and independent hobbies like reading or drawing. The response meets all criteria for a Band 7.0.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The essay displays a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Each paragraph has a distinct central topic, starting with a well-defined introduction, followed by body paragraphs exploring opposing viewpoints, and ending with a concise conclusion. Cohesive devices are used effectively and flexibly without being overly mechanical, using phrases such as 'The most significant advantage', 'As a result', and 'In conclusion'. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate different arguments. Referencing is clear and easy to follow. The response fully satisfies the descriptors for Band 7.0.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

The student demonstrates a sufficient range of vocabulary to allow for flexibility and precision. Words and phrases such as 'cooperate', 'responsibilities', 'independence', and 'problem-solving abilities' show an adequate command of topic-specific leкса. There are also attempts at less common lexical items and collocations like 'effective members of society' and 'constant assistance'. While the vocabulary is generally natural and appropriate for the task, it lacks the broader flexibility and more sophisticated, uncommon phrasing required to reach a Band 8.0. Spelling and word choice are accurate throughout.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The response features a good variety of complex structures alongside simple sentences, demonstrating good overall control of grammar and punctuation. Examples of complex sentences include 'Some people believe that parents should encourage their children to take part in organised group activities in their free time, while others argue that it is important...' and 'When youngsters are given opportunities to occupy themselves, they have to decide...'. The majority of sentences are error-free, and punctuation is handled correctly. The few minor limitations in structural range prevent the essay from reaching Band 8.0, but it comfortably sits at Band 7.0 due to frequent error-free sentences and good grammatical control.

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