Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 13 · 2026-09-28

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)

Imposing a curfew on teenagers at night is a controversial measure. While some people see it as an unnecessary restriction on freedom, I believe it is a justified and effective policy for protecting young people and reducing crime.

The main argument in favour of a curfew is safety. Teenagers are more vulnerable late at night, both as potential victims and as potential offenders. In many American cities, most youth-related crimes, such as vandalism, drug use, and gang violence, occur after 10 or 11 p.m. when streets are darker and there is less supervision. A curfew keeps teenagers at home during these high-risk hours, which directly reduces their exposure to dangerous situations. For example, in my own city, most accidents involving teenage drivers happen late at night, often because of reckless driving or lack of experience. A curfew would discourage this.

Secondly, a curfew supports parents and encourages responsibility. Many parents struggle to control their children's movements, especially when both parents work. A legal curfew gives them a legitimate reason to insist that their children stay home. It also sends a clear message to society that childhood and adolescence need protection and structure. Teenagers may complain about a lack of freedom, but freedom without boundaries can be harmful. Learning to respect rules is part of becoming an adult.

Critics argue that curfews violate civil liberties and punish all teenagers for the crimes of a few. They also argue that responsible teenagers who work night shifts or attend evening classes would be unfairly affected. These are valid concerns, but they can be addressed by making the law flexible. Most US curfews already allow exceptions if a teenager is accompanied by an adult, travelling for work, or in an emergency. This balances safety with fairness.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 8.0

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt by presenting a clear personal opinion on teenage curfews and supporting it with well-developed reasons and examples. The introduction clearly states the writer's stance that the policy is justified for protection and crime reduction. Body paragraphs examine both safety concerns, such as youth-related crimes and driving accidents, and the broader social benefits of supporting parents and reinforcing responsibility. Furthermore, the counter-argument addressing civil liberties and exceptions for work or emergencies is thoughtfully discussed, demonstrating a balanced and thorough understanding of the issue. Ideas are well-extended throughout, meeting all requirements for higher-band performance.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 8.0

Ideas are logically sequenced and progress naturally from introduction to supporting arguments, counter-arguments, and a balanced conclusion. Paragraphing is used effectively and appropriately, with each paragraph focusing on a distinct central theme, such as safety, parental support, or opposing views. Cohesive devices such as 'While some people', 'The main argument', 'Secondly', and 'Critics argue that' are deployed smoothly without being mechanical. Referencing and substitution are handled with precision, ensuring that the relationships between ideas remain transparent and easy for the reader to follow throughout the text.

Lexical Resource: Band 8.0

The student displays a wide, fluent, and flexible range of vocabulary suited to the topic. Less common lexical items and collocations are used skillfully, such as 'controversial measure', 'vulnerable late at night', 'high-risk hours', 'civil liberties', and 'legitimate reason'. Word choice and phrasing are natural, and there are no noticeable errors in spelling, morphology, or collocation. The vocabulary allows the writer to convey precise meanings and maintain an appropriate academic tone from beginning to end.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 8.0

The text exhibits a wide range of complex sentence structures, including conditional or concessive clauses ('While some people see it as...', 'especially when both parents work') and relative clauses ('where streets are darker'). The majority of sentences are completely error-free, and grammar and punctuation are handled with excellent control. Only occasional, minor imperfections might be found upon close inspection, but none of these ever impede communication or strain the reader. Verb tenses, subject-verb agreement, and articles are accurate throughout.

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