Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-08-23
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 7.5)
Friendship plays an important role in people's lives, and individuals have different preferences when choosing their friends. Some people prefer to have friends who share the same opinions as them, while others believe that friendships are more valuable when people have different viewpoints. This essay will discuss both perspectives. In my opinion, having friends who sometimes disagree with us is more beneficial because it helps us become more open-minded and make better decisions.
On the one hand, having friends with similar opinions can make a friendship more comfortable and peaceful. When people have similar beliefs, interests and values, they are more likely to understand each other and experience fewer disagreements. For example, two friends who have similar interests and attitudes towards life may find it easier to make decisions about activities, travel or other plans. Moreover, people often feel supported when their friends agree with their choices. Therefore, sharing similar opinions can strengthen relationships and reduce unnecessary conflicts.
On the other hand, friends who have different opinions can help each other grow. A good friend should not simply agree with everything but should also be willing to give constructive advice when necessary. Different perspectives can encourage people to consider situations from another point of view and recognize mistakes they may not have noticed themselves. For instance, if someone is about to make an important financial or career decision, a friend who disagrees may explain possible disadvantages that the person has overlooked. As a result, respectful disagreement can lead to better decisions and personal development.
In my opinion, although sharing similar views can make friendships easier, having friends who occasionally disagree is more valuable. Friendship should provide both emotional support and honest advice. However, disagreements should always be expressed respectfully rather than becoming arguments.
In conclusion, friends with similar opinions can provide comfort and understanding, whereas friends with different opinions can introduce new perspectives and encourage personal growth. I believe that the best friendships are those in which people respect each other's differences and are comfortable expressing their true opinions.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 8.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 8.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.5 |
| Overall | 7.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0
The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You have clearly discussed both perspectives—the comfort of shared opinions and the growth potential of differing views—and provided a clear personal opinion in the introduction and conclusion. The ideas are well-developed with relevant examples, such as the mention of financial or career decisions to illustrate the value of constructive disagreement. The position is consistent throughout the essay, and the arguments are logically extended, meeting the requirements for a high band score.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0
The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central topic sentence, and the transition between the two viewpoints is smooth, using appropriate cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand', 'On the other hand', 'Moreover', and 'Therefore'. Paragraphing is used effectively to separate the different stages of the argument. The flow of ideas is natural, and the relationship between sentences is clear, making the essay easy to follow from start to finish.
Lexical Resource — Band 7.0
You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with precision. Phrases like 'constructive advice', 'personal development', and 'unnecessary conflicts' are used accurately. While the vocabulary is appropriate and natural, it lacks some of the more sophisticated or idiomatic collocations that would push the score into the 8.0+ range. However, there are no errors in word choice or spelling that impede communication, and the language used is consistently appropriate for the formal tone of an IELTS essay.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5
The essay displays a good variety of complex structures, such as conditional sentences ('if someone is about to make...') and subordinate clauses ('although sharing similar views can make friendships easier...'). The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation and grammar is strong. There are no significant grammatical slips that distract the reader. To reach a higher band, you could experiment with a slightly wider range of advanced grammatical structures, such as inversion or more complex passive constructions, though your current control is very solid.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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