Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-08-27

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 6.5)

In recent years, friendship plays a fundamental role to making people's lives. It has been reckoned by some individuals that they prefer to friends with those having the same opinions as while others view that is is better to have companions who do not agree with them at times. This essay will elucidate both these beliefs, and I will share my opinion in favor of the latter proposition.

To commence with, those who want to have friends with similar believe that they will also be supported by them even if their family does not support them. In other words, they will always have someone as their backbone who is not only of a similar mindest but also of a like thought process. Some individuals have decision-making abilities similar to their companions, which also helps them to have a better bond because of less friction between them. For instance, many friend collabroate with each other and start a business together as partners, and this is possible only if they support each other in decision-making. Thus, it is evident that individuals look for someone who is supportive and has similar views to stay in their comfort-zone.

On the flip side, there are those who believe in having friends who can somtimes disagree with them so that they can have varied views in any situation. To explain, if they have such companions, it would aid them in looking at a problem from a different perspective. This would not only them find better solution but also sometimes save them from getting into a critical situation. For example, if people have friend who do not always support them by disagreeing on some issues, they come up with better and improved ideas resulting in a better sucess rate. Hence, having friends with a different mindset is always important for professional growth of an individual.

To recapitulate, it is imperative to have friend in life. While some find it easier to be with those who are always in agreement with them, others reckon that having someone with different opinions is better for them. In my opinion, one should be surrounded by friends who can help them make better decisions in life even if it means going against them, as those who support their companions in wrong matters pose a threat to them.

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 example, the argument regarding professional growth and decision-making in the second body paragraph is logical and supported by a clear example. However, some points could be extended further to reach a higher band. The position is consistent throughout the essay, and the conclusion effectively summarizes the main arguments while reinforcing the writer's stance. To improve, ensure that the explanation of why one view might be superior is more deeply explored in relation to the broader social context of friendship.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, two body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the two viewpoints. Cohesive devices such as 'To commence with', 'On the flip side', and 'To recapitulate' are used to guide the reader through the argument. However, there are instances where the flow is slightly mechanical, and some referencing is a bit repetitive. For instance, the transition between sentences in the first body paragraph could be smoother to better connect the idea of 'backbone' to the concept of 'decision-making'. Overall, the progression of ideas is clear and easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, allowing the writer to express their ideas clearly. There are some attempts at using less common collocations like 'fundamental role', 'elucidate', and 'critical situation'. However, there are occasional inaccuracies in word choice and spelling, such as 'collabroate' (collaborate), 'sucess' (success), and the awkward phrasing 'prefer to friends with'. While these errors do not impede communication, they prevent the response from reaching a higher band. Expanding the range of synonyms and ensuring precise word usage would enhance the lexical quality.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The essay demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the writer attempts complex sentences, there are frequent grammatical errors, such as 'friendship plays a fundamental role to making people's lives' (in making), 'prefer to friends with' (prefer to be friends with), and 'it is better to have companions who do not agree with them at times' (missing subject/verb agreement in some clauses). Punctuation is generally functional, but there are minor slips throughout. The errors do not significantly impede communication, but they are frequent enough to limit the score. Increasing the accuracy of complex structures is the primary area for improvement.

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