Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 13 · 2026-08-15
IELTS Writing Task 2 question
In some areas of the US, a 'curfew' is imposed, in which teenagers are not allowed to be out of doors after a particular time at night unless they are accompanied by an adult.
What is your opinion about this?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Student answer (Band 7.5)
Teenagers' safety and freedom are important concerns for parents and communities. In some areas of the United States, young people are not allowed to stay outside after a certain time at night unless they are accompanied by an adult. However, I largely agree and partially disagree with the above statement, and I will discuss this in the following paragraphs.
Certainly, there are numerous reasons to support the given statement that curfews can protect teenagers. The most notable one is that they reduce the risk of teenagers becoming involved in dangerous situations at night. Late-night hours may involve more accidents, crime, or other unsafe activities. For example, a teenager who returns home before midnight is less likely to be involved in a road accident or encounter strangers in an unsafe area. Additionally, curfew can give parents greater peace of mind. Parents know when their children should be at home and can make sure that they are safe. Consequently, families may have fewer arguments about where teenagers are spending their time at night.
Another point worth mentioning is that curfews can encourage teenagers to develop discipline. Young people learn that they have responsibilities and need to follow certain rules. For instance, a teenager who has to be home by 10 p.m. may organise their evening activities more carefully. Moreover, curfews can encourage a healthier daily routine. Teenagers who return home earlier are more likely to get enough sleep and be ready for school the following morning. As a result, they may perform well in their studies and maintain a more balanced lifestyle.
On the other hand, strict curfews may limit teenagers' independence. In other words, young people may feel that their parents or the government do not trust them to make sensible decisions. Furthermore, some teenagers may need to stay out later for legitimate reasons, such as attending a school event or working a part time job.
To put it in a nutshell, regarding the topic of teenage curfews, it is clear that they can improve safety and encourage discipline, whereas strict rules may reduce teenagers' independence. Therefore, I agree to a large extent that curfews are beneficial, but they should be applied reasonably according to teenagers' age and circumstances.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 8.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.5 |
| Overall | 7.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5
You have addressed all parts of the prompt, providing a clear position that is maintained throughout the response. The arguments regarding safety, parental peace of mind, and discipline are well-developed and supported with relevant examples, such as the mention of road accidents and school performance. You also acknowledge the counter-argument regarding independence, which adds depth to your analysis. The conclusion effectively synthesizes your position. To reach a higher band, ensure that your counter-argument is balanced with a slightly more detailed rebuttal, as the current discussion on the drawbacks of curfews is somewhat brief compared to the supporting arguments.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0
The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central topic, and you use a variety of cohesive devices such as 'The most notable one', 'Additionally', 'Consequently', and 'On the other hand' to link your points effectively. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct ideas. The flow is smooth, and the relationship between sentences is clear. To improve further, you could experiment with more sophisticated referencing or substitution to avoid minor repetitions, though your current use of cohesive devices is already quite effective and natural.
Lexical Resource — Band 7.0
You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with precision. Phrases like 'peace of mind', 'legitimate reasons', and 'balanced lifestyle' are used accurately. You attempt some less common collocations, which helps convey your ideas clearly. There are no significant spelling or word-choice errors that impede communication. To move into the higher band, try to incorporate more idiomatic expressions or academic collocations that sound more natural in a formal context, such as using 'mitigate risks' instead of 'reduce the risk' or 'foster personal development' instead of 'encourage discipline'.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5
You use a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as conditional clauses ('if they are accompanied') and relative clauses ('a teenager who returns home'). The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation is generally strong. There are very few grammatical slips, and the meaning is always clear. To achieve a higher score, ensure you consistently use a wider variety of complex structures, such as passive voice or inverted sentences, to demonstrate greater flexibility. Your current control is solid and supports clear communication throughout the essay.
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