Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-08-20

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)

Proponents believe it is good if you select friends with the same opinions as you. However, critics argue that it is better to have disagreements among friends. After weighing both sides, I concur with the following statement because it broadens your knowledge. Also, it helps a person make accurate decisions.

On the one hand, some suggest making friends who have the same mindset as you because it reduces conflicts between groupmates. Since a group has similar opinions on a particular matter, they will not argue about it. Consequently, it avoids unnecessary stress in friendships. Hence, it strengthens their bond. For instance, according to research, 90% of friendships last for many years because they share the same thoughts, which relieves minor hurdles. Therefore, sharing the same opinion benefits individuals by avoiding arguments.

On the other hand, people reckon that it is beneficial to have friendships with those who have diverse points of view because it enlightens a person about various aspects of that thing. Before deciding anything, it is essential to discuss all the pros and cons of the situation. For example, every boss of a company has a team that gives their thoughts before launching any products, which leads to success. So, having different opinions between friends helps to think another factor related to that situation.

In my opinion, having multiple views on a single matter increases the knowledge of a person. This eventually helps an individual to see clearly from others' point of view. A person can make better decisions if he can consider all factors that have been shown by his friends. This increases the winning chances. Hence, I think everyone should make friends with diverse opinions.

In summary, while similar mindsets provide peace in a group and avoid small arguments, various points of view among friends show all parts of the situation. I think diversity is necessary because it broadens your knowledge and also assists in making accurate decisions.

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 the benefits of diverse opinions in a professional setting is a strong, practical example. However, the development of the first viewpoint—that similar opinions reduce conflict—is slightly repetitive in its phrasing. To reach a higher band, the student could provide more nuanced examples or explore the potential downsides of each approach more deeply. Overall, the position is consistent and the task requirements are fully met.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. The use of cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand', 'On the other hand', 'Consequently', and 'In summary' helps guide the reader through the argument. Paragraphing is used effectively to separate distinct ideas. While the flow is generally smooth, some transitions feel slightly mechanical or repetitive, such as the frequent use of 'Therefore' and 'Hence'. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring that referencing between sentences is more sophisticated would enhance the overall cohesion.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The vocabulary is sufficient to convey the intended meaning clearly. The student uses some topic-specific vocabulary like 'proponents', 'critics', 'diverse points of view', and 'mindset'. However, the range is somewhat limited, and there is a reliance on simpler phrasing, such as 'that thing' or 'another factor related to that situation', which lacks precision. To improve, the student should aim for more sophisticated collocations and avoid vague references. The spelling is accurate throughout, and the word choice is generally appropriate for the context of an IELTS essay.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The essay demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There is good control over basic grammar, and the meaning is never obscured by errors. However, the range of complex structures is somewhat limited, and there are occasional minor inaccuracies, such as 'having different opinions between friends helps to think another factor' (which is slightly awkward) and 'all parts of the situation' (which could be more idiomatic). Increasing the use of varied subordinate clauses and more advanced grammatical forms would help elevate the score in this criterion.

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

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