Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · 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 7.0)

Some individuals think that it is better to have friends with the same mindset. While there are others who feel that it is better to have friends with different opinions. I feel that it is important to have a good mix of both kind of friends.

I can see the benefit in having friends that have a similar thought process and choices. You could go to watch similar movies together, you can talk about similar topics without arguing. Generally, that tends to make the life a bit easier but then it can also be monotonous, because they do not bring anything new to your life.

On the other side, if you have friends who are differently opinionated, then they can add a different flavour to your life. They can talk about topics that you generally do not hear about, hence enhancing your point of view. They can also force you to watch different movies than your are generally used to, which can expand your palette.

In my childhood, I used to have a lot of friends with similar interests and hobbies. We would go to play same games, watch similar movies, talk about same topics without too much disagreement. But eventually, it got a bit boring. Later in college, I somehow ended up with a lot of friends with different backgrounds and opinions. Eventually, I learned that it really expands your viewpoint when you have friends with varied interests.

In conclusion, I would like to say that there are times when you need comfort of friends with similar mindset and there are times when you need friends who could challenge you. So, it is a boon to have a cocktail of both.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response addresses all parts of the prompt by discussing both viewpoints and providing a clear personal opinion. The ideas are relevant and supported by personal examples, such as the contrast between childhood and college friendships. However, the development of ideas is somewhat simplistic. While the arguments are clear, they lack depth and could be further extended to reach a higher band. For instance, the discussion on 'monotonous' friendships could explore the psychological impact of echo chambers more deeply. Overall, the position is consistent throughout the essay, and the task is fully addressed.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the progression of ideas is easy to follow. Cohesive devices such as 'While', 'On the other side', and 'In conclusion' are used effectively to link ideas. However, the transition between some sentences is slightly mechanical, and the use of referencing could be more sophisticated to improve the flow. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different viewpoints and the personal reflection.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The vocabulary is generally adequate and appropriate for the task. The student uses some good collocations like 'expand your viewpoint' and 'different flavour'. However, the range is somewhat limited, and there is a reliance on simpler vocabulary. Phrases like 'good mix' and 'make the life a bit easier' are functional but lack the precision and sophistication expected at higher bands. There are no significant spelling errors, and the word choice is accurate enough to convey the intended meaning clearly without ambiguity.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The student demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several error-free sentences, which is positive. However, there are minor grammatical slips, such as 'different kind of friends' (should be 'kinds') and 'than your are generally used to' (a typo). Additionally, the use of articles and prepositions is occasionally slightly off, such as 'go to play same games'. While these errors do not impede communication, they prevent the essay from reaching a higher band. A greater variety of complex structures would also be beneficial.

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

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