Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-08-02

IELTS Writing Task 2 question

Some people think it's better to choose friends who always have the same opinions as them. Other people believe it's good to have friends who sometimes disagree with them.

Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

 

Student answer (Band 7.0)

Friendship is one of the crucial aspects of the life. While some people believe that it is better to have friends who share similar opinions to keep harmony in relationship, other people believe that having a friend who disagree is better as it helps individuals to broaden their horizons. I believe that friendship with people who have different perspective are more beneficial in the long term.

People who support the notion of having friends who share similar opinions argue that it has a positive impact on their goals. Friends who have a similar thought process are likely to achieve their educational targets on time. It also enhances their academic performance and decision making ability. As they agree on same ideas, they can work together towards shared goals and that save both their time and efforts.

In contrast to that, some believe it is better to have who do not always agree with each other. Such friendship can expose individuals to different perspectives, which can beneficial to their personal growth. Some times while taking wrong decision a friend with different opinions can guide the towards right directions. A friend who has his/her identical beliefs not only help individuals to think outside of their comfort zones but also help to identify them their mistakes. For instance, a group of friends who have variety of opinions can learn from each other’s strengths and weaknesses.

In conclusion, although like minded friends can be successful in certain areas including academic growth. I believe friend who challenges one’s decision have an opposite opinions can help them to learn from one and other and have sustainable growth.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, discussing both views and providing a clear personal opinion. The ideas are relevant, though the development of the 'similar opinions' argument is slightly more robust than the 'disagreeing' argument. The conclusion effectively summarizes the position. To reach a higher band, ensure that the supporting examples are more specific; for instance, instead of a general mention of 'academic performance,' you could describe a specific scenario where a friend's differing opinion helped solve a complex problem. Overall, the task is well-covered with a consistent position maintained throughout.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The essay is logically organized with clear paragraphing. Each paragraph has a central topic, and there is a progression of ideas from the introduction to the conclusion. Cohesive devices such as 'In contrast to that,' 'While,' and 'In conclusion' are used to link ideas. However, some transitions are slightly mechanical, and there are minor issues with referencing, such as in the sentence 'having who do not always agree,' where the pronoun is missing. Improving the variety and fluidity of linking words would enhance the overall flow and coherence of the argument.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, allowing the writer to express ideas clearly. There are attempts to use less common vocabulary like 'broaden their horizons' and 'sustainable growth.' However, there are some inaccuracies in word choice and collocation, such as 'having a friend who disagree' (should be 'disagrees') and 'help to identify them their mistakes' (awkward phrasing). While these errors do not impede communication, they limit the score. Using more precise collocations and ensuring correct word forms would help elevate the lexical range.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors, particularly with subject-verb agreement ('a friend who disagree') and article usage ('the life,' 'the right directions'). Some sentences are slightly fragmented or awkward, such as 'A friend who has his/her identical beliefs not only help individuals...' where the verb 'help' should be 'helps.' Despite these errors, the meaning is always clear, and the complexity of the sentences demonstrates an attempt to use a variety of structures. Focusing on proofreading for subject-verb agreement would significantly improve the accuracy.

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