Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-10-30

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 5.5)

Nowadays, friendship plays a vital role in the life of the individuals. Few individuals suppose that having friendhip with same viewpointt like them it's good while some individuals suppose it's better to have friendshp with those who not always agree with you. I believe there are valid agruments on both sides. I will explain my opinion in the following paragraphs with relevant examples.

To begin with, few individuals suppose to have friends with same viewpoint is a good choice. As if you both have same impression you can easily achieve your goals. You can help each other in your studies as well as in sports and correct each other where there is any default without any disarguements. Moreover, having same conviction may never ruin your bond. For instance, two friends having same oipnion help thems to achieve their task quickly withou any conflicts.

On the other hand, some individuals think it's better to have mates who not agree with you sometimes. As a person it is always correct to have a friend like this as he/she can suggest you what is good and bad for you. Always thinking yourself correct can make you overconfident and a buddy who values you may not always argee with your decision. For instance, two friends where sometimes one disagree with the opinion of other can help him able to have a more clear view of that concept.

In conclusion, based on the valid arguments, I believe that having a friend with same viewpoint can help to achieve goal easily while having a firend who not agree with you may result a clearer view of your decision.

AI examiner evaluation

CriterionBand
Task Achievement / Task Response5.5
Coherence and Cohesion6.5
Lexical Resource5.0
Grammatical Range and Accuracy5.0
Overall5.5

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You discuss both views and give a personal position, so the response addresses the main parts of the prompt. The first body paragraph explains that friends with similar opinions can cooperate in study and sport, while the second gives a reason for valuing disagreement: it can prevent overconfidence and offer another perspective. However, these points remain general and are not developed with clear, specific examples; the examples beginning “two friends having same opinion” and “two friends where sometimes one disagree” largely restate the claims. Your conclusion also presents both benefits without clearly deciding which view you favour. State your preference directly and explain why, then extend each main point with a concrete situation or consequence.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response has a clear overall arrangement: an introduction, separate paragraphs for the two views, and a conclusion. Sequencing phrases such as “To begin with,” “On the other hand,” and “In conclusion” make the progression easy to follow. This coherent structure meets the expected standard, and the paragraphing is appropriate. However, the linking is somewhat formulaic, and some connections between ideas are unclear. For example, “As if you both have same impression” does not form a clear link to the claim about achieving goals, while “For instance” introduces examples that mostly repeat the preceding point. Use more precise referencing and vary how you connect explanations, examples, and results so the essay progresses rather than circling back to the same claim.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use enough vocabulary to communicate the topic, including terms such as “viewpoint,” “conviction,” “overconfident,” and “clearer view.” However, the range is limited and several choices are inaccurate or unnatural, which sometimes makes the reader pause. Phrases such as “having friendship with same viewpoint,” “same impression,” and “without any disarguements” do not express the intended ideas naturally. There are also noticeable spelling errors, including “friendhip,” “oipnion,” and “firend.” Aim for accurate, natural collocations rather than substituting less familiar words for simple ones. Proofreading spelling and choosing phrases commonly used to discuss agreement and differing perspectives would make your meaning clearer.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt some complex structures, including “while” contrasts and clauses with “who,” and the reader can generally understand your main points. However, the range is limited, and complex sentences are often faulty. For example, “having friendshp with those who not always agree with you” is missing an auxiliary verb, and “a friend like this as he/she can suggest you what is good” has an unclear sentence structure. Other recurring problems include articles and agreement, as in “having same conviction” and “one disagree.” These errors sometimes make relationships between ideas difficult to follow. Practise building accurate sentences with relative clauses and “can/cannot,” and check articles, verb forms, and subject–verb agreement before submitting.

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

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