Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-09-14
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)
Friends play a significant role in shaping our experiences and perspectives. The question of whether it is better to befriend those who always agree with us or those who occasionally challenge our viewpoints has been a topic of debate. In this essay, I will explore two sides of the argument and provide my personal perspective on the matter.
On one hand, some argue that friendships with like-minded individuals create a sense of harmony and belonging.besides, Having friends who share our opinions and values can lead to easier communication and understanding, ultimately fostering a comfortable and supportive environment. This type of friendship provides validation for our thoughts and actions, contributing to feelings of self-confidence and reassurance.
Conversely, others assert that having buddies who sometimes disagree with us promotes personal growth and broadens our perspectives. additionally,Engaging with diverse viewpoints encourages critical thinking and challenges our preconceived notions, allowing us to learn and develop as individuals. These friendships can foster empathy and open-mindedness, as we become more understanding and accepting of differing opinions.
In my view, it is beneficial to cultivate a balance between two types of friendships. Having a support network of like-minded buddies can provide a sense of community and validation, contributing to our overall well-being. Simultaneously, engaging with those who hold different views allows us to grow intellectually and emotionally, making us more well-rounded individuals. By embracing both harmony and discord in our friendships, we can create a rich social tapestry that supports our personal growth and understanding of the world.
In conclusion, while some may favour friendships with those who always agree with them, I believe there is value in having pales who both align with and challenge our perspectives. furthermore,Striking a balance between these types of relationships enables us to reap the benefits of both: a sense of belonging and support from like-minded pales , and the opportunity for personal growth through interactions with those who disagree with us. Ultimately, the key is to remain open-minded and appreciate the unique insights and experiences that each individual brings into our lives.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 6.0 |
| Overall | 6.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0
The response fully addresses all parts of the task by discussing both views—befriending like-minded individuals versus those who challenge us—and presents a clear personal opinion in favor of a balanced approach. The position is maintained throughout the essay. Ideas are well-developed and supported with relevant reasoning regarding personal growth, empathy, and emotional well-being. For example, the student explains how disagreement encourages critical thinking and broadens perspectives, which directly answers the prompt requirements. There are no major omissions, and the task is thoroughly covered, fitting the Band 7 descriptor well.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5
The essay demonstrates clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Information and ideas are presented logically, with a standard four-paragraph structure comprising an introduction, two body paragraphs exploring the opposing views and the personal view, and a conclusion. Cohesive devices are used to signal relationships, though there are some mechanical errors in capitalization and punctuation surrounding transitions, such as 'besides, Having friends' and 'additionally,Engaging with diverse viewpoints'. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct ideas, ensuring overall coherence despite minor mechanical slips.
Lexical Resource — Band 6.0
The student uses an adequate and generally appropriate range of vocabulary for the task, successfully attempting less common items such as 'preconceived notions', 'well-rounded individuals', and 'social tapestry'. However, there are some informal word choices and repetitive terms, such as using 'buddies' and the colloquial spelling/word error 'pales' instead of 'pals' or 'peers' in the conclusion. Despite these occasional inaccuracies and lexical limitations, meaning is conveyed clearly and communication is never impeded, aligning comfortably with a Band 6.0 performance.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0
The writer demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, incorporating relative clauses and participial phrases effectively (e.g., 'allowing us to learn and develop as individuals'). There are some noticeable errors in punctuation and capitalization, particularly lowercase letters after periods or commas directly attached to words (e.g., 'On one hand', 'besides, Having', 'additionally,Engaging', 'furthermore,Striking'). However, the core grammatical structures of the sentences are generally accurate, and these mechanical errors rarely impede overall communication, supporting a solid Band 6.0 score.
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.