Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-08-19

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)

A few people prefer to be friends with those who mostly have similar views as them, while others maintain that it is better to have peers who have different viewpoints. I believe having similar thinking leads to a longer friendship and avoids misunderstandings in the relationships.

On the one hand, friends with similar thinking can support each other in vulnerable situations. To elaborate, if friends have shared perspectives, they participate in similar activities and social events, and also support each other in any life crisis. This not only provides emotional comfort and reduces daily stress, but also provides a powerful sense of validation. Furthermore, when the core views align, we share a mutual understanding that makes communication smooth, empathetic, and deeply supportive. For instance, business partners who share similar opinions have fewer arguments and easy agreement on how to run a business successfully with a smooth cooperation.

On the other hand, being friends with ones who have opposite viewpoints can sometimes result in formidable situations. Since such individuals might not agree on some critical aspects of life, it could result in misunderstandings and bitterness in their relationships. While in a few instances, it could assist to understand an opposite viewpoint from their explanations which results in personal growth and critical thinking; however, I still maintain that it is a rare occurrence and not so helpful in day-to-day matters.

To sum up, although associates with opposite viewpoints might be useful in some instances, on a day-to-day basis having friends and partners with congruent viewpoints avoids conflicts and brings more peace to life, which makes relationships last lifetimes.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, discussing both viewpoints and providing a clear personal opinion. The ideas are relevant and generally well-developed. For instance, the argument regarding emotional comfort and validation in the first body paragraph is well-supported. However, the discussion of the opposing view is slightly less developed; while you acknowledge that disagreement can lead to personal growth, you dismiss it quickly as 'not so helpful in day-to-day matters.' To reach a higher band, ensure that both sides are explored with equal depth and that your personal opinion is integrated more seamlessly into the overall argument rather than just stated in the introduction and conclusion.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the two viewpoints. You use a range of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'On the one hand,' 'Furthermore,' and 'To sum up,' which help guide the reader through your argument. The flow between sentences is generally smooth. To improve, ensure that the transition between the acknowledgement of the benefits of disagreement and your rebuttal is more nuanced, as the current shift feels slightly abrupt. Overall, the structure is clear and supports the development of your argument well.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with some precision. Phrases like 'shared perspectives,' 'vulnerable situations,' and 'congruent viewpoints' show an ability to use less common lexical items. However, there are some minor issues with collocation and word choice, such as 'formidable situations' (which usually implies something intimidating rather than just difficult) and 'easy agreement' (which is slightly unnatural). While these do not impede communication, refining your word choices to be more precise would enhance the sophistication of your writing and help you achieve a higher band score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. You show good control over grammar, and most of your sentences are error-free. There are some minor slips, such as 'friends with ones who have' (which is slightly awkward; 'friends who have' is more natural) and 'assist to understand' (which should be 'assist in understanding'). Punctuation is generally accurate, though there is a slight misuse of the semicolon in the third paragraph. Overall, your control of complex structures is good, and the occasional errors do not interfere with the clarity of your message.

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

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