Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-10-23

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 6.5)

Majority of people have the idea that having a lot of money is the main way to live a happy life. Although having a lot of money can allow for people to access things and experiences that can make them happy, it won't always bring long term happiness. Whilst it does play it's part in making people happy, there are other things in life that can make people happy as well.

Happiness is subjective to one person to another. There are people that have lots of money and are very depressed and stressed. Money has just become just something they have but not something to sustain their happiness. I've seen where people with the least amount of money are happier than the rich and it was because they had the love of their family and growing to love the small things in life.

People that are rich can use their money for to buy expensive exclusive clothes, shoes or bags that generally brings them joy. It allows people to experience travelling anywhere in the world and be able to accomodate the cost of their trip. For example, I have had a moment in my life where financially I couldn't afford to travel, but I was blessed with an opportunity to make enough to travel. I was able to travel to Jamaica to visit a loved one that I couldn't visit for years which left me with impense joy and happiness.

In conclusion, I do believe money can bring people happiness but it isn't the main source of it. We can find true happiness with other things and within ourselves, depends on our outlook on life and what truly makes us happy.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

You address both parts of the question and maintain a clear position: money can contribute to happiness, but it is not its only or main source. The discussion of what money enables—buying items and travelling—is relevant, and your Jamaica example gives personal support to the point. You also identify family love and appreciating small things as other sources of happiness. However, these alternatives are mentioned briefly rather than explained in depth, and the first paragraph about happiness being subjective repeats the central claim without extending it much. To strengthen the response, develop one or two non-financial sources with specific reasons or examples, and explain more fully how financial security or experiences can improve wellbeing without guaranteeing lasting happiness.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response has a clear overall structure: an introduction, discussion of non-financial happiness, examples of what money can provide, and a conclusion. The progression from the general claim to personal experience is understandable, and phrases such as “For example” and “In conclusion” help signal the stages of the argument. However, the relationship between the second and third body paragraphs could be made more explicit: the discussion of family and small pleasures is followed by money’s benefits without a clear comparison linking the two. Some connections are also repetitive, particularly the repeated use of “happy” and “happiness.” Use topic sentences that state each paragraph’s distinct purpose and add linking language to compare financial and non-financial sources more smoothly.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use an adequate range of vocabulary to discuss the topic, including “subjective,” “depressed,” “stressed,” “exclusive,” and “outlook on life.” These choices help communicate the contrast between material benefits and personal relationships, and the meaning remains clear throughout. However, some word choices and collocations are inaccurate or awkward, such as “impense joy,” “accommodate the cost,” and “growing to love the small things.” There is also repetition of “happy” and “happiness,” which limits flexibility. Aim for more natural combinations and a wider set of precise terms, such as “lasting fulfilment,” “cover the cost of a trip,” and “appreciating life’s simple pleasures.” Check spelling carefully, including “accommodate.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, including a concession in “Although having a lot of money can allow…,” and the main ideas are generally easy to follow. Some sentences are controlled, particularly the example about travelling to Jamaica. However, there are several grammatical errors that fit this level of performance. For example, “Whilst it does play it's part” uses the wrong possessive form, and “People that are rich can use their money for to buy” has an incorrect verb pattern. In “clothes, shoes or bags that generally brings them joy,” the verb does not agree with the plural subject. Review possessives, verb patterns after “use,” and subject–verb agreement, while continuing to practise varied sentence structures.

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.