Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 13 · 2026-09-01

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 some parts of the United States, curfews are imposed to prevent teenagers from being outside after a certain time at night unless they are accompanied by an adult. In my opinion, although such rules can improve young people's safety, they should be applied reasonably rather than being imposed too strictly.

One major advantage of teenage curfews is that they can protect young people from dangerous situations. At night, there may be a greater risk of crime, accidents, or involvement with drugs and other harmful activities. A curfew can therefore give parents greater peace of mind and encourage teenagers to spend more time at home. For example, if teenagers know that they must be home by 10 p.m., they may be less likely to spend late nights in places where they could get into trouble.

Another benefit is that curfews can help parents establish clear boundaries. Teenagers are still developing their ability to make responsible decisions, so reasonable restrictions can teach them about discipline and personal responsibility. In addition, having a regular time to return home may encourage better sleeping habits, which can be particularly important for students who need to attend school early in the morning.

However, I do not believe that strict curfews are always appropriate. Teenagers need opportunities to become independent and learn how to make decisions for themselves. There are also many legitimate reasons for being outside at night. For instance, a teenager might have an evening job, attend a school event, study with classmates, or take part in a sports activity. A law that prevents them from being outside simply because of their age could therefore be unfair.

For these reasons, I believe that curfews can be useful, but they should be flexible. Parents should consider a teenager's age, maturity and reason for being outside rather than applying exactly the same restriction to everyone. Overall, the safety benefits of curfews are valuable, but protecting young people should be balanced with giving them the freedom to develop independence and responsibility.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You clearly state your position in the introduction and maintain it consistently throughout the essay. Each paragraph is well-developed with relevant arguments, such as the safety benefits of curfews versus the need for teenage independence. The examples provided, such as evening jobs or sports activities, effectively support your balanced viewpoint. The ideas are extended logically, and the conclusion provides a thoughtful summary that reinforces your stance. You have successfully met the requirements of the task by providing a clear opinion supported by relevant reasoning.

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 the benefits of curfews and the counter-arguments regarding independence is smooth. You use a variety of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'One major advantage', 'Another benefit', 'However', and 'For these reasons'. These markers help guide the reader through your argument without being repetitive or mechanical. Paragraphing is used appropriately, with each paragraph focusing on a distinct aspect of the topic, which contributes to the overall clarity and flow of the writing.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary that is appropriate for the task. You use precise terms such as 'imposed', 'peace of mind', 'legitimate reasons', and 'maturity' to convey your ideas accurately. The language is natural and fits the context of a formal essay well. While the vocabulary is sufficient and precise, it could be elevated further by incorporating more sophisticated collocations or less common academic phrases to reach the highest band. However, the current range is more than adequate to express your thoughts clearly and with a good degree of flexibility.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The essay displays a high level of grammatical accuracy. You use a variety of complex sentence structures, such as conditional clauses ('if teenagers know that they must be home...') and concessive clauses ('although such rules can improve...'). Punctuation is used correctly throughout, and there are no significant errors that impede communication. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and you demonstrate good control over verb tenses and modal verbs. The writing is fluent and shows a strong command of English grammar, which is consistent with a high-level performance.

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