Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 13 · 2026-09-06

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)

In some parts of the United States, teenagers are not permitted to go outside after a certain time at night unless they are accompanied by an adult. While I believe that curfews can be useful for protecting young people from potential dangers, I also think that excessively strict restrictions can limit their independence and ability to develop a sense of responsibility.

One major advantage of imposing a curfew is that it can help ensure teenagers' safety. Late at night, young people may be more exposed to crime, accidents or other risky situations, particularly when they are travelling alone. By requiring teenagers to return home before a specific time, parents and authorities can reduce their exposure to such dangers. Moreover, parental supervision can give families greater peace of mind. For example, a teenager who returns home before midnight is less likely to encounter the safety risks associated with being alone on the streets during the early hours of the morning.

However, strict curfews can also have negative consequences. Teenagers gradually need to become independent and learn how to make responsible decisions for themselves. If they are subject to excessively restrictive rules, they may have fewer opportunities to develop these skills. Furthermore, there are legitimate situations in which young people may need to stay out late, such as school events, sports competitions or family gatherings. For instance, a student participating in an evening school event may be unable to return home before the imposed curfew despite behaving responsibly.

In conclusion, I believe that curfews can be an effective way to protect teenagers from potential dangers and provide parents with greater peace of mind. Nevertheless, these restrictions should be reasonable and flexible enough to accommodate legitimate circumstances, while allowing young people to gradually develop independence and responsibility.

AI examiner evaluation

CriterionBand
Task Achievement / Task Response7.5
Coherence and Cohesion7.5
Lexical Resource7.0
Grammatical Range and Accuracy7.5
Overall7.5

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the task. You have clearly stated your position in the introduction and maintained it throughout the essay. The arguments for both the benefits (safety and peace of mind) and the drawbacks (limitation of independence and lack of flexibility) are well-developed and supported with relevant examples, such as school events and sports competitions. The ideas are logically extended, and the conclusion effectively synthesizes your balanced view. The response is well-structured and directly answers the prompt regarding your opinion on curfews.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay demonstrates a clear logical progression. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between the benefits and the drawbacks is smooth, using appropriate linking words like 'However' and 'Nevertheless'. Cohesive devices are used effectively, such as 'For example' and 'Furthermore', to connect ideas within paragraphs. The paragraphing is logical and contributes to the overall clarity of the argument. The flow of information is natural, and the relationship between ideas is consistently clear throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey your ideas with precision. Phrases like 'excessively strict restrictions', 'legitimate situations', and 'accommodate legitimate circumstances' demonstrate a good command of language. The vocabulary is appropriate for the formal tone of an IELTS essay. While the range is solid, incorporating a few more sophisticated collocations or idiomatic expressions could elevate the score further. There are no spelling errors, and word choice is consistently accurate throughout the response.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay displays a good variety of complex sentence structures, such as the use of conditional clauses ('If they are subject to...') and subordinate clauses ('...unless they are accompanied by an adult'). The grammar is highly accurate, with the majority of sentences being error-free. Punctuation is used correctly to enhance readability. You demonstrate a strong control over verb tenses and subject-verb agreement. The writing is fluent, and there are no grammatical slips that impede communication or cause confusion for the reader.

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

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