Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-08-20

IELTS Writing Task 2 question

Some people say the main way to be happy in life is to have a lot of money. How might having a lot of money make people happy? What other things in life can make people happy?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

 

Student answer (Band 6.0)

In the modern era, some people believe that having a hefty amount of money is the main way to be happy in life. While others think that other things can make people happy too. I am more positive that having a good amount of money is important for being happy in life nowadays. I will elaborate on the reasons behind both views and give my opinion.

If we take a look at how money can make people more joyful, then the most important consideration is that money can fulfill people's necessities, such as better food, healthcare, and a home. However, a lot of money allows people to fulfill their dreams. People can buy whatever they want, like a luxury car or a home, or anything that can make them happier. Other than that, people can feel secure if they have a lot of money because they can handle emergencies with ease, while people with less money always feel insecure because they are not financially stable.

On the other hand, money is not the only way to make people happy; things like family, hobbies, and so on can make people happy too. If a person can spend a little time with their keens then they feel more happiness that money cannot replace. Time is another thing money cannot replace. Like, if people have leisure time, then they can do their hobbies and feel fulfilled in life.

To recapitulate, having a lot of money is the most effective way to stay happy in life. However, other things cannot be neglected. As such, these things cannot be replaced by money either.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response addresses both parts of the prompt: how money contributes to happiness and other factors that influence it. The position is clear, although the development of ideas is somewhat superficial. For instance, the discussion on money fulfilling 'necessities' and 'dreams' is relevant but lacks depth or specific examples to fully support the argument. The conclusion is a bit contradictory, as it acknowledges other factors but then asserts that money is the 'most effective' way to be happy without further justification. To reach a higher band, the student should provide more detailed explanations and concrete examples to substantiate their claims.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized into paragraphs, each with a clear focus. The progression of ideas is generally easy to follow. Cohesive devices such as 'In the modern era', 'However', 'Other than that', and 'To recapitulate' are used to link sentences and paragraphs. However, some transitions feel slightly mechanical, and the referencing is occasionally repetitive. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the overall structure supports the development of the argument, meeting the requirements for a Band 6.0 or 6.5 level of coherence.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary used is adequate for the task, allowing the student to express their ideas clearly. There are some attempts at less common vocabulary, such as 'hefty amount' and 'recapitulate', though the usage is sometimes slightly unnatural (e.g., 'spend a little time with their keens'). The range is sufficient to convey meaning, but it lacks the precision and flexibility required for higher bands. There are no significant spelling errors, and the vocabulary choice does not impede communication, fitting the criteria for a Band 6.0.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the grammar is generally accurate, there are occasional errors, such as 'While others think that other things can make people happy too' (a sentence fragment) and 'they feel more happiness that money cannot replace' (slightly awkward phrasing). The punctuation is generally correct, and the errors present do not impede the reader's understanding. The student demonstrates a reasonable control over basic grammatical structures, but more variety and precision in complex sentence construction would be needed for a higher score.

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

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