Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-08-31

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)

The question of whether it is wise to choose friends who always have same opinion as your own or difference of opinion is better among friends to have a healthy friendship remains a matter of debate. This essay will discuss both these views and explain why I believe a balanced approach is important while selecting friends.

On the one hand, many people believe it is better to have friends who have similar interests and beliefs. People who share common views are bound by strong bonds of friendship. This fosters a sense of understanding which is the fundamental basis of every relationship. Moreover, it is human nature to get attracted to people who are alike us in different ways. It is convenient to hang out with individuals who have similar interests in music, art and literature. Additionally, a good company is always nourished on discussions based on similar opinions.

On the other hand, many people argue that it is better to have friends who have difference of opinion as it helps to grow by exposing them to new perspectives. Opposing views also help individuals to see their flaws and details that they miss on their own. A healthy discussion is always based on different opinions which leads to constructive criticism for positive development.

In my opinion, a balance approach is required while selecting friends as it impacts both mental health and life choices. People are often described by the company they choose and one must have friends who are alike in interests but ready to present their own opinion even if it is not according to their will.

In conclusion, I partially agree with both opinions as friends with similar ideas are important to have a company that matches your energy while those with contrasting views help to ponder on to reality.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, discussing both perspectives and providing a clear personal opinion. The ideas are relevant and logically developed, such as the benefits of shared interests for bonding and the value of differing opinions for personal growth. However, the development is somewhat brief; the arguments could be strengthened by providing more concrete examples or deeper analysis. For instance, the point about 'mental health' in the conclusion is introduced late and not fully explored. Overall, the position is consistent throughout the essay, meeting the requirements for a solid band 7 performance.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph has a central topic, and the progression of ideas is easy to follow. Cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand', 'Moreover', and 'In conclusion' are used effectively to link ideas. However, there are minor issues with referencing and flow; for example, the phrase 'alike us' is slightly awkward, and the transition between the benefits of disagreement and the personal opinion could be smoother. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different viewpoints.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The vocabulary is generally appropriate and sufficient for the task. The student uses some good collocations like 'constructive criticism', 'fundamental basis', and 'matter of debate'. There are some minor inaccuracies in word choice, such as 'alike us' instead of 'like us' or 'similar to us', and 'ponder on to reality', which is slightly unnatural. While the range is adequate to convey meaning clearly, it lacks the sophistication and precision required for higher bands. The student successfully avoids repetition, but the lexical choices remain somewhat standard.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The student demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical slips, such as 'always have same opinion' (missing an article: 'the same opinion') and 'difference of opinion' (should be plural or have an article: 'differences of opinion'). Additionally, 'a balance approach' should be 'a balanced approach'. While these errors are noticeable, they do not impede communication. The control of punctuation is generally good, and the sentence variety is sufficient to maintain interest, though more complex structures could be used with greater accuracy to reach a higher band.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.