Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-08-22
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 6.0)
Nowadays, people perceive that an individual should choose a friend who always has the same opinion as them, while some think that this is a great way to build friendship. Others think that it is better to have a friend who sometimes disagrees with their opinion. This essay will discuss both views and present my opinion.
On the one hand, some believe that having a friend who has the same opinion as them is better. This is due to the fact that people think those types of friends are always supportive of each other. In this type of friendship, both of them would be on the same wavelength, which leads to a better understanding between the two. For instance, a debate can be easily won by friends who have the same opinion as their fellow friends.
On the other hand, others believe that developing a friendship with a person who sometimes has a different opinion from them is better. This is because some people think that having different opinions can broaden their mindsets. Each of them can share information that is new to the other, which enables them to understand different concepts effortlessly. This might have some drawbacks. While arguing with others, both of their wavelengths might not align, so winning an argument might be difficult.
To sum up everything that has been stated so far, some believe that having a friend with a different opinion is better. From my perspective, I believe that having a friend with the same opinion will be beneficial in the long term and result in a meaningful friendship.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 6.0 |
| Overall | 6.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response addresses both views and provides a clear personal opinion. However, the development of ideas is somewhat limited. For example, the argument for having friends with the same opinion is supported only by the idea of 'winning a debate,' which is a narrow perspective. Similarly, the second paragraph mentions 'broadening mindsets' but lacks a concrete example to illustrate this. The conclusion is brief and does not fully synthesize the arguments presented. To improve, you should provide more detailed explanations and specific real-life examples to support your points, ensuring that the discussion is balanced and fully explored.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5
The essay is logically organized into clear paragraphs, each with a distinct focus. Cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand,' 'On the other hand,' and 'To sum up' are used effectively to guide the reader through the argument. However, some transitions feel slightly mechanical, and the internal cohesion within paragraphs could be improved by using a wider variety of linking words. The progression of ideas is generally clear, but the connection between the final opinion and the preceding discussion could be more explicitly stated to ensure a more cohesive flow of thought.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is adequate for the task, allowing the writer to express ideas clearly. There is some repetition of phrases like 'have the same opinion' and 'different opinion.' While the student attempts to use some less common vocabulary such as 'wavelength' and 'mindsets,' the range is somewhat limited. There are no significant spelling errors, and the word choice is generally appropriate, though it lacks the sophistication and precision required for a higher band score. Incorporating more varied synonyms and collocations would enhance the quality of the writing.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0
The essay demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. Most sentences are grammatically accurate, and errors are infrequent and do not impede communication. For instance, the use of conditional structures and relative clauses is generally correct. However, there is a lack of more advanced grammatical structures, such as passive voice or varied subordinate clauses, which would demonstrate greater flexibility. Punctuation is used correctly throughout. To reach a higher band, you should aim to incorporate a wider variety of complex sentence forms while maintaining the current level of accuracy.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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