Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 13 · 2026-08-25
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 5.5)
Some of the people argue that the curfew imposed in US for teenagers is valid while others think this is a disadvantage for upcoming generation.
On the one hand, imposing stricter curfews on teenagers can be highly beneficial due to the rising crime rates. Studies suggest that many young offenders are under the influence of drugs when committing crimes. Having an adult accompany or supervise teenagers when they are out late at night could provide them with the necessary guidance and protection.
On the other hand, centuries pass by where people were on streets late night and still could handle all the pressure. For example, my dad and grandfather used to work and spend time with their friends past 10pm in old days. They were still able to manage generate wealth and stay healthy. Nowadays, younger generation is more likely to waste money or ruin their lives.
In my opinion, youngsters should let their parents know where they at by turning on the location in their smartphones. A curfew is not extremely necessary if an adult takes responsibility as a guardian to a teenager.
In conclusion, curfews can be beneficial or harmful depending on the situation. A well behaved and obedient teenager will tackle any situation.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 250 words, which significantly impacts the development of ideas. While you address the topic and provide a clear opinion, the arguments are underdeveloped. For instance, the comparison between past generations and modern youth is anecdotal and lacks depth. To improve, you must expand on your points with more detailed explanations and examples. The conclusion is also quite brief and does not fully synthesize the arguments presented. Because the response is 44 words short, the development of the task is restricted, preventing a higher score.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, which helps the reader follow your argument. You use basic cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand' and 'On the other hand' to signal transitions. However, the flow between sentences is sometimes mechanical, and the connection between the introduction and the body paragraphs could be smoother. The final paragraph is quite abrupt. To reach a higher band, focus on using a wider variety of linking words and ensuring that each paragraph has a clear topic sentence that directly supports your overall position.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
Your vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, but it lacks the range and precision required for a higher band. You use some relevant terms like 'young offenders' and 'supervise,' but there is a reliance on simpler phrasing such as 'waste money' or 'ruin their lives.' There are also minor errors in word choice, such as 'manage generate wealth' (should be 'manage to generate wealth'). To improve, try to incorporate more sophisticated collocations and academic vocabulary related to social issues and policy.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
You demonstrate a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally hinder the flow. For example, 'Some of the people argue' is slightly unnatural (should be 'Some people argue'), and 'where they at' is grammatically incorrect (should be 'where they are'). There are also issues with article usage and verb forms, such as 'centuries pass by where people were on streets'. While these errors do not completely prevent understanding, they are frequent enough to limit your score. Focus on subject-verb agreement and preposition usage.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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