Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 13 · 2026-08-22

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 8.0)

In certain parts of the United States, teenagers are legally required to remain indoors after a specific hour unless accompanied by an adult. In my opinion, this measure is a sensible and justified approach to protecting young people, provided it is enforced fairly.

Firstly, curfews directly reduce teenagers’ exposure to the risks most commonly associated with nighttime hours. Statistics consistently show that incidents involving young people, whether traffic accidents, physical altercations, or exposure to criminal activity, occur disproportionately late at night, when supervision is lowest and judgment is often impaired by fatigue. By requiring teenagers to be home by a set time, a curfew does not restrict their daytime independence but simply removes them from the specific window in which they are statistically most vulnerable. For instance, a teenager walking home alone at midnight faces a markedly different risk profile than one who returns home safely before ten in the evening.

Secondly, curfews provide parents and communities with a valuable, externally reinforced tool for maintaining boundaries that can otherwise be difficult to enforce alone. When a rule is backed by local law rather than a single household, teenagers are less likely to view it as arbitrary, and parents are less likely to face constant negotiation over it. Communities that have introduced curfews have often reported a noticeable decline in late-night vandalism and loitering, suggesting a broader public safety benefit beyond individual households. It is worth noting, however, that this benefit depends heavily on fair and consistent enforcement; if applied unevenly or aggressively, a curfew risks feeling punitive rather than protective. This is a matter of implementation, though, rather than a flaw in the concept itself.

In conclusion, while enforcement must be handled with care, I believe curfews are a reasonable and largely beneficial measure, as they meaningfully reduce risk to teenagers while also supporting parents and communities in maintaining safer neighborhoods.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You have taken a clear position from the introduction and maintained it throughout the essay. The ideas are well-developed, with the first body paragraph focusing on individual safety and the second on community benefits and parental support. You provide logical reasons and relevant examples, such as the comparison of risk profiles and the mention of vandalism. The argument is balanced by acknowledging the necessity of fair enforcement, which adds depth to your position. The conclusion effectively synthesizes your points without introducing new information. This is a well-structured and thoughtful response that meets all requirements of the task.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between paragraphs is smooth, using cohesive devices like 'Firstly' and 'Secondly' effectively. You use a variety of linking words and phrases such as 'provided it is', 'in contrast', and 'it is worth noting, however' to connect ideas within and between sentences. The paragraphing is logical and contributes to the overall clarity of the argument. Referencing is clear throughout, and the flow of information is natural, making the essay easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.0

You demonstrate a wide and flexible range of vocabulary, which is used with precision and naturalness. Phrases such as 'disproportionately late at night', 'externally reinforced tool', and 'markedly different risk profile' show a high level of lexical control. You use less common items effectively to convey nuanced meaning. There are no noticeable errors in word choice or collocation, and the vocabulary is consistently appropriate for an academic or formal discussion. The language is sophisticated and contributes significantly to the overall quality of the argument.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The essay displays a wide range of grammatical structures with high accuracy. You use complex sentences effectively, such as the conditional structure in the introduction ('provided it is enforced fairly') and the contrastive structure in the conclusion ('while enforcement must be handled...'). The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation is excellent. There are no significant grammatical errors that impede communication. The variety of sentence forms, including the use of participial phrases and subordinate clauses, demonstrates a strong command of English grammar.

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