Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-09-22
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 participate in organised group activities during their free time, while others think that children should learn to spend time by themselves. This essay will discuss both views before explaining why I believe a balance between the two is most beneficial.
On the one hand, organised group activities can help children develop important social skills. For example, taking part in team sports such as football or cricket can teach children how to cooperate with others, follow rules and communicate effectively. These activities can also improve their physical health and help them make new friends. Moreover, children may become more confident when they regularly interact with people outside their family.
On the other hand, learning to occupy themselves can make children more independent. When children spend time alone, they can choose activities according to their own interests, such as reading books, drawing or learning a new skill. This can encourage creativity and teach them how to manage their time without depending on their parents or friends. For instance, a child who regularly reads independently may gradually develop a strong habit of learning by themselves.
In my opinion, children should have opportunities for both group activities and independent activities. Group activities are important for social development, while time alone helps children become creative and self-reliant. Therefore, parents should provide a reasonable balance rather than focusing entirely on one type of activity.
In conclusion, organised activities can improve children's social and physical skills, whereas independent activities can develop creativity and independence. A combination of both is the most suitable approach for children's overall development.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 6.5 |
| Overall | 7.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5
The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt by discussing both views—organised group activities and independent activities—and clearly presenting the writer's position that a balance between the two is most beneficial. The introduction clearly sets out the essay structure, and the body paragraphs are well-developed with relevant explanations and examples, such as team sports like football or cricket for social skills, and reading or drawing for independence. The ideas flow logically from one paragraph to the next, fulfilling all requirements of the task effectively and earning a solid band score.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5
Coherence and cohesion are managed very well throughout the essay. The text features a clear logical organisation and progression. Paragraphing is used appropriately and effectively, with each paragraph having a clear central topic, such as the introduction of the two views, followed by body paragraphs dedicated to group activities, independent activities, the writer's opinion, and a concise conclusion. Cohesive devices are used flexibly and naturally, as seen with transition words like 'On the one hand,' 'On the other hand,' 'Moreover,' and 'For instance,' which help guide the reader smoothly through the argument without feeling mechanical.
Lexical Resource — Band 6.5
The student demonstrates an adequate to good lexical range for the task. Vocabulary is appropriate and allows for clear communication. The writer attempts some less common and topic-specific vocabulary such as 'cooperate', 'independent', 'self-reliant', and 'overall development' with good control. Word choice and collocations are generally accurate, and there are no noticeable spelling or word-choice errors that impede communication. While the vocabulary is not highly sophisticated or varied enough for a higher band, it successfully and naturally conveys the intended meaning throughout the essay.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5
The response features a good mix of simple and complex sentence forms, demonstrating control over grammatical structures. The writer employs various complex clauses effectively, such as conditional and adverbial structures ('while others think that children should learn to spend time by themselves' and 'When children spend time alone, they can choose activities according to their own interests'). Grammatical accuracy is high, with the majority of sentences being error-free. Punctuation is used correctly, and any minor slips do not impede communication, matching the criteria for a strong performance in this area.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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