Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-08-04

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 6.5)

A number of people believe that having a similar personalities and shared interests is important when making friends, while other belive that having friends with different mindsets is more beneficial. Before expressing my opinion, both views will be discussed in the following paragraphs.

Discussing the view that suggest same thinking is important when becoming friends. Some people argue that friends with same interests may have less conflicts when doing any project together. For instance, when friends are working in same field with same attitude have better understanding. Furthermore, sharing similar preferences, such as exploring new places, shopping and trying different cuisines, boosts relaxation and creates a strong sense of belonging. Moreover, people with similar way of thinking often Understand each other without speaking. They can even burst into laughter over the same situation without saying a word.

On the other hand, some people argue that friends with different perspectives are more helpful as they introduce us to new ideas and challenge our opinions, helping us think more critically. Additionally, they encourage personal growth and self - improvement. By this I mean that a person with oppose personality friend, encouraging to try a new experiences and

help to step outside your comfort zone.

All in all, it can be said that friends with different mindsets can encourage personal growth by introducing new experiences and broadening our perspectives. However, I believe that having friends with similar interests is more beneficial because they are more reliable, make us feel comfortable and create a greater sense of relaxation.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, discussing both views and providing a clear personal opinion. The ideas are relevant, though some development is slightly thin. For instance, the argument regarding 'same thinking' is supported by examples like shared hobbies, but the explanation of why this is 'more beneficial' in the conclusion could be more deeply explored. The position is consistent throughout the essay. To reach a higher band, ensure that the supporting arguments for both sides are balanced in depth and that the final opinion is more thoroughly integrated with the preceding analysis.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the two viewpoints. Cohesive devices such as 'Furthermore', 'Moreover', and 'On the other hand' are used to guide the reader through the argument. However, some transitions are slightly mechanical, and the referencing is occasionally repetitive. The flow of ideas is generally smooth, but the connection between the final opinion and the body paragraphs could be more sophisticated to improve the overall cohesion of the argument.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, allowing the writer to express ideas clearly. There are some attempts at less common vocabulary, such as 'mindsets', 'critical', and 'personal growth'. However, there are some inaccuracies in word choice and collocation, such as 'oppose personality friend' instead of 'a friend with an opposing personality' and 'same thinking' instead of 'like-mindedness'. While these errors do not impede communication, they limit the precision of the expression. Expanding the range of collocations and idiomatic expressions would help elevate the score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is always clear, there are frequent grammatical errors, particularly with subject-verb agreement ('the view that suggest') and article usage ('in same field'). There are also some awkward phrasings, such as 'encouraging to try a new experiences'. While the writer demonstrates an ability to construct complex sentences, the frequency of these minor errors prevents the response from reaching a higher band. Focusing on proofreading for basic grammatical accuracy would significantly improve the quality of the writing.

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

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