Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

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

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)

In the contemporary era, some people thinks it is better to find friends who always have the same thoughts as they have while other believe that it is good to choose friends who have a different way of thinking. I firmly agree with the view that choosing friends who share the same opinions is better for individuals.

Firstly, having friends who are always be on the page can lead to better understanding and stronger relationship. When people have similar perspectives, they can easily understand each other feelings and respect their ideas and without any disagreement. For example, if two friends have a same attitude towards education and career, they can motivate each other for their goal. Therefore, choosing friends with similar opinions can create a more harmonious and supportive friendship.

Secondly, people who disagree with this view argue that having friends with different perspectives can be beneficial because they can support each other and develop critical thinking skills. When friends have different opinions, they can exchange ideas and look at problems from various perspectives. As a result, individuals may become more open-minded and learn to evaluate different arguments before making decisions. For example, if two friends have different views about their careers, they can discuss their experiences and help each other choose the most suitable option. Therefore, friendships with people who have different perspectives can broaden an individual's thinking and improve their decision-making skills.

In conclusion, although having friends with different perspectives can broaden people's thinking and improve their critical thinking skills, I firmly believe that it is better to choose friends who share similar opinions and values. Such friendships can provide greater understanding, emotional support, and fewer conflicts.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response addresses all parts of the prompt by discussing both perspectives and clearly stating a personal opinion in the introduction and conclusion. The ideas are relevant and logically developed. However, the development of the opposing view is somewhat brief compared to the main argument. To reach a higher band, ensure that the counter-argument is explored with equal depth and nuance, perhaps by providing a more specific example of how disagreement can lead to personal growth. Overall, the position is consistent and well-supported throughout the essay.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, two body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Cohesive devices such as 'Firstly', 'Secondly', 'As a result', and 'In conclusion' are used effectively to guide the reader through the argument. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different viewpoints. The progression of ideas is clear, although the transition between the second body paragraph and the conclusion could be slightly smoother to better integrate the final summary of the opposing view.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary is generally appropriate and sufficient for the task. You use some good collocations like 'harmonious and supportive friendship' and 'broaden an individual's thinking'. However, there are some minor inaccuracies and repetitive phrasing, such as 'have a same attitude' (should be 'the same attitude') and 'always be on the page' (an incorrect idiom; the correct form is 'on the same page'). To improve, try to incorporate more sophisticated vocabulary and ensure idiomatic expressions are used accurately.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors, such as subject-verb agreement issues ('some people thinks', 'other believe') and missing articles ('have a same attitude'). While these errors do not impede communication, they are frequent enough to prevent a higher score. To improve, focus on proofreading for basic subject-verb agreement and article usage. Increasing the variety of complex sentence structures, such as using more conditional or passive constructions, would also enhance the grammatical range.

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

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