Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 13 · 2026-09-04

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, teenagers are prohibited from being outside after a certain time at night unless they are accompanied by an adult. Although I understand the reasons for introducing such restrictions, I believe that curfews should be reasonable rather than excessively strict.

The main argument in favour of teenage curfews is safety. Young people may be more vulnerable to crime, accidents or other dangerous situations late at night, particularly when they are alone. A curfew can therefore reduce their exposure to potentially unsafe environments and give parents greater peace of mind. It may also discourage teenagers from becoming involved in antisocial behaviour, such as vandalism or public disturbances, which are more likely to occur when there is little adult supervision.

However, I do not believe that imposing a very strict curfew on all teenagers is the best solution. Teenagers gradually need to develop independence and learn how to make responsible decisions for themselves. For example, an older teenager who has a part-time job, attends an evening class or takes part in a school activity may occasionally need to travel home later at night. In such circumstances, a blanket curfew could create unnecessary difficulties for both teenagers and their families.

In my view, the most effective approach would be to introduce age-appropriate curfews while allowing reasonable exceptions. Younger teenagers could have earlier restrictions, whereas older and more responsible teenagers could be given greater freedom, particularly when their parents know where they are and when they are expected home.

In conclusion, I support the idea of teenage curfews because they can improve safety and reduce undesirable behaviour. Nevertheless, these restrictions should be flexible and proportionate so that teenagers can gradually develop the independence and responsibility they will need as adults.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You have clearly stated your position in the introduction and maintained it throughout the essay. The arguments for safety are well-balanced against the need for teenage independence. You provided relevant examples, such as teenagers with part-time jobs or evening classes, to support your argument for flexibility. The ideas are well-developed and logically extended, demonstrating a clear understanding of the complexities of the issue. The conclusion effectively summarises your stance, ensuring the response is cohesive and task-focused.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The essay is logically organised with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, starting with the benefits of curfews, moving to the limitations, and concluding with a balanced recommendation. Cohesive devices such as 'Although', 'However', 'For example', and 'In conclusion' are used effectively to link sentences and paragraphs. The flow is natural, and the paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct points. There is no evidence of mechanical or repetitive use of linking words, making the text very easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary that is appropriate for the task. Phrases like 'antisocial behaviour', 'public disturbances', 'blanket curfew', and 'proportionate' show a level of sophistication beyond basic communication. The word choices are precise and contribute to the clarity of your arguments. There are no noticeable spelling errors, and the collocations are generally natural. While the vocabulary is strong and effective, it could be slightly more adventurous to reach the highest band, but it is certainly sufficient for a high score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The essay displays a high level of grammatical control. You use a variety of complex sentence structures, such as conditional clauses and subordinate clauses, with high accuracy. For instance, 'Younger teenagers could have earlier restrictions, whereas older and more responsible teenagers could be given greater freedom' is a well-constructed complex sentence. Punctuation is used correctly throughout, and there are virtually no grammatical errors. The majority of your sentences are error-free, demonstrating a strong command of English syntax and morphology.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.