IELTS Writing Task 2 Samples – Band 5, 6, 8 with Real Feedback

Looking for real IELTS Writing Task 2 samples with band scores and expert feedback? On this page, you’ll find three essays written by candidates at different levels — Band 5, Band 6, and Band 7.5. Each includes tutor feedback from Bruno, Carmen, or Alan, helping you see exactly what examiners look for at each level.

Bruno – Lite Feedback for a Lower-Band Essay

Bruno – Friendly Check-In Style

Essay question: Interviews form the basic selecting criteria for most large companies. However, some people think that the interview is not a reliable method of choosing whom to employ. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Candidate response: Interview is the main way for big companies to hire new worker. But many people think this not good way to choose the worker. I think interview is not always good.

When people go to interview, they feel nervous and cannot show real self. This is big problem. Maybe they forget answer or speak bad English. But maybe they are very smart in the job. So interview not always fair.

Also some people good at talking but not good at working. They say good thing in interview, but after get job, not work good. So company make mistake.

Company should do more thing like test or see CV or give small job first. Then they can know better.

So I don’t think interview is best way. It can be use but not only way. (134 words)

User goal: Band 6.0
Estimated level: Band 5.0


🔽 Here’s the feedback Bruno gave:

Task Response: 5.0

Your essay addresses the topic and presents a clear opinion, which is a good start. However, it lacks depth and development in your arguments. You mention that interviews can make people nervous and that some people are good at talking but not at working, but these points need more explanation and examples to strengthen your argument. Try to elaborate on each point with specific details or examples to improve your score.

Coherence & Cohesion: 5.0

Your essay has a basic structure with an introduction, body, and conclusion, which is good. However, the ideas are not well connected, and the flow of the essay is somewhat choppy. Use linking words like “furthermore,” “for example,” and “however” to connect your ideas more smoothly. Also, try to develop each paragraph with a clear topic sentence and supporting details.

Lexical Resource: 5.0

Your vocabulary is quite basic, and there are some repetitive phrases. For instance, you repeatedly use “good” and “not good.” Try to expand your vocabulary by using synonyms and more precise words. For example, instead of “good at talking,” you might say “articulate” or “eloquent.”

Grammar: 4.5

There are several grammatical errors in your essay, such as missing articles and incorrect verb forms. For example, “Interview is the main way for big companies to hire new worker” should be “Interviews are the main way for big companies to hire new workers.” Focus on subject-verb agreement and proper use of articles. Practice writing more complex sentences to improve your grammar score.

Final Word:

You’ve got a clear opinion, which is a good starting point. To improve, focus on developing your ideas with more detail and examples, and work on connecting your ideas smoothly. Expanding your vocabulary and practising grammar will also help you reach your target band score. Try writing a full 250-word response next time to give yourself more room to develop your ideas. Keep going — each essay brings you one step closer.

© 2025 IELTS Writing Guru – Sample use only

Want feedback like this for your writing? Submit your essay here.


Carmen – Supportive Feedback for a Mid-Band essay

Carmen – Supportive tutor style

Essay question: Some believe that the government should support artists like musicians, painters, and poets, while others argue that this is a misuse of funds. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

Candidate response: Some people think government should pay money to artists like painters and musicians. Others think this is not a good use of money. I believe the government should support them, but only when there is enough budget after important services.

One side says that spending money on artists is wasteful. They think this money should go to hospitals, roads, or education instead. These things help everyone in the country. If the government spends money on artists, they think it is not fair to other workers or people in need.

However, other people believe that artists give beauty to our world. Art, music, and poems help people express feelings and learn about their culture. Some artists are very talented but cannot earn much money. If the government helps them, they can make more great work for the public to enjoy.

I think both sides have points. But I believe artists should get some help from the government, especially young or new artists. As long as money is not taken from essential services, it is good to support the arts.

In conclusion, government should support artists, but only after making sure other important areas have enough money. (195 words)

User goal: Band 7.5
Estimated level: Band 6.0

🔽 Here’s the feedback Carmen gave:

Task Response: 6.0

Your essay addresses the task by discussing both views and providing your opinion. However, the development of ideas is somewhat limited. While you present reasons for both sides, the arguments could be expanded with more detailed examples or explanations. For instance, you could elaborate on how government support could specifically benefit artists or provide more concrete examples of how funds are allocated to essential services. To improve, aim to provide more depth in your arguments and support them with specific examples.

Coherence & Cohesion: 6.5

Your essay is generally well-organised, with a clear structure that includes an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. The use of linking words such as “however” and “in conclusion” helps to guide the reader through your argument. However, the transitions between ideas could be smoother. For example, when shifting from one viewpoint to another, consider using more varied linking phrases like “on the other hand” or “alternatively.” Additionally, ensure that each paragraph focuses on a single main idea to enhance clarity.

Lexical Resource: 6.0

Your vocabulary is adequate for expressing your ideas, but it lacks variety and precision. Words like “money” and “support” are repeated frequently. Try to incorporate a wider range of vocabulary to convey your ideas more effectively. For instance, instead of “pay money to artists,” you could say “provide financial assistance to artists.” Additionally, using more specific terms related to art and government funding would enhance your lexical resource.

Grammatical Range & Accuracy: 6.0

Your grammar is generally accurate, but there is limited variety in sentence structures. Most sentences are simple, which can make the essay feel repetitive. For example, “Some people think government should pay money to artists” could be improved by using a more complex structure: “Some people argue that the government should allocate funds to support artists.” Additionally, ensure subject-verb agreement, as in “government should support artists” instead of “government should support them.”

Overall: 6.0
Targeted Advice:

To improve your score, focus on expanding your arguments with specific examples and explanations. Work on varying your sentence structures to include more complex sentences. Additionally, enhance your vocabulary by incorporating more precise and varied language related to the topic.

Model Sentence Rewrite:

Original: “Some people think government should pay money to artists like painters and musicians.”
Revised: “Some individuals believe that the government should allocate financial resources to support artists, including painters and musicians.”
This revision uses more precise language and a more complex sentence structure.

Final Word:

This is a solid effort with a clear structure and a balanced discussion of both views. To reach your target band score, focus on expanding your ideas with more detailed examples and improving your vocabulary and sentence variety. Keep practising, and you’ll see progress. Remember, every essay is a step forward in your learning journey.

© 2025 IELTS Writing Guru – Sample use only

Want feedback like this for your writing? Submit your essay here.


Alan – Detailed Diagnostic Feedback for a High-Band essay

Alan – Brilliant coach style

Essay question: Many aspects of the way people dress today are influenced by global fashion trends. How has global fashion become such a strong influence on people’s lives? Do you think this is a positive or negative development?

Candidate response: Nowadays, more and more people are following global fashion trends, which can be seen from the way they dress. There is no doubt that global fashion has become a strong influence on people’s lives. In this essay, I will explain the reasons behind this trend and discuss whether it is a positive or negative development.

The rise of the internet and social media is one of the most important factors that make global fashion so influential. In the past, people only knew about local styles, but now, they can easily watch videos, see photos, and read news from all over the world. Many celebrities and fashion bloggers share their clothes and opinions online, which attracts a lot of attention from young people. In addition, the development of global trade allows people to buy clothes from foreign brands easily and at a cheaper price than before.

In my opinion, I think this trend has both good and bad sides. On the one hand, it allows people to express themselves more freely and try different styles from different cultures. This can increase their confidence and creativity. Also, it helps countries to understand each other better by sharing fashion and culture. However, on the other hand, it can cause people to forget their traditional clothing and values. Especially for young generation, they may care too much about appearance and ignore what is more important inside. Also, not everyone can afford to buy new clothes all the time, which may lead to comparison and pressure.

In conclusion, global fashion becomes more and more powerful because of online influence and easier shopping. I believe it has both positive and negative effects, but we should be careful not to lose our culture and put too much focus on appearance. (293 words)

User goal: Band 8.0
Estimated level: Band 7.5

🔽 Here’s the feedback Alan gave:

🔧 Corrections (Grammar & Vocabulary Mark-Up)

Nowadays, more and more people are following Today, an increasing number of people follow global fashion trends, which can be seen from the way they dress. There is no doubt that global fashion has become a strong influence on people’s lives. In this essay, I will explain the reasons behind this trend and discuss whether it is a positive or negative development. The rise of the internet and social media is one of the most important factors that make have made global fashion so influential. In the past, people only knew about local styles, but now, they can easily watch videos, see photos, and read news from all over the world. Many celebrities and fashion bloggers share their clothes and opinions online, which attracts a lot of attention from young people. In addition, the development of global trade allows people to buy clothes from foreign brands easily and at a cheaper lower price than before. In my opinion, I think I believe this trend has both good and bad sides. On the one hand, it allows people to express themselves more freely and try different styles from different cultures. This can increase their confidence and creativity. Also, it helps countries to understand each other better by sharing fashion and culture. However, on the other hand, it can cause people to forget their traditional clothing and values. Especially for young generation This is especially true for the younger generation, who may care too much about appearance and ignore what is more important inside. Also, not everyone can afford to buy new clothes all the time, which may lead to comparison and pressure. In conclusion, global fashion becomes has become more and more powerful because of online influence and easier shopping. I believe it has both positive and negative effects, but we should be careful not to lose our culture and put too much focus on appearance.

This section highlights only small grammar and vocabulary errors. For full scoring and deeper feedback on ideas, structure, and development, refer to the sections below.

Task Response: 8.0

You address all parts of the question with relevant, well-developed ideas. Each paragraph is purposeful and contributes to the overall argument. There is a clear stance, and your discussion of both benefits and drawbacks is balanced. The only limitation is slight repetition in phrasing (“good and bad sides”) and a mildly formulaic introduction and conclusion. You could improve further by integrating examples more tightly with analysis.

Coherence & Cohesion: 8.0

Your essay is logically structured, with clear paragraphing and smooth progression of ideas. Linkers such as “on the one hand”, “however”, and “in addition” are used correctly. Some cohesion is slightly over-reliant on simple transitions like “also” and “but”, but overall, cohesion is maintained effectively. You could enhance flow by varying sentence openers and linking ideas within paragraphs more fluidly.

Lexical Resource: 7.5

Your vocabulary is generally appropriate and shows some range. Phrases like “express themselves”, “appearance and pressure”, and “sharing fashion and culture” are effective. However, there is mild repetition of “global fashion”, “clothes”, and “people”. Also, word choices like “cheaper” and “good and bad sides” are functional but basic — try “more affordable” and “advantages and disadvantages” instead. A touch more academic phrasing would lift this to Band 8.0.

Grammatical Range & Accuracy: 7.5

Your grammar is mostly accurate, with complex structures used appropriately: “This can increase their confidence and creativity” is a good example. However, there are still some noticeable slips, like “make global fashion”, “younger generation who”, and unnecessary redundancy (“In my opinion, I think”). Subject–verb agreement and article use are mostly controlled, but not consistently error-free. A few awkward phrases slightly reduce fluency.

Overall Band Score: 7.5
🎯 Action Plan (Target: 8.0 | Actual: 7.5)
  • 📌 Replace informal or vague words with more academic vocabulary. For example, change “good and bad sides” → “advantages and disadvantages”, and “cheaper” → “more affordable”.
  • 📌 Tighten phrasing by removing redundancy. For example, “In my opinion, I think” → “I believe”.
  • 📌 Review advanced grammar points like relative clauses and participle phrases to enhance sentence variety (e.g., “which attracts attention” → “attracting attention”).
Essay Rewrite (+1.0 Band Version)

Today, global fashion trends have a strong influence on how people dress, visible in cities around the world. This essay will explore why this trend has become widespread and whether it is a positive or negative development.

The growth of the internet and social media is a major reason global fashion has become so dominant. Unlike in the past, when people were only aware of local styles, they can now view clothing trends from all over the world instantly. Influencers and celebrities regularly share their outfits online, gaining significant attention, especially from younger audiences. Moreover, improvements in international trade have made it easier and more affordable to access foreign clothing brands.

On the positive side, this trend allows individuals to explore diverse cultural styles and express their identity with greater freedom. It fosters creativity and global cultural exchange. However, it can also lead to the erosion of traditional clothing customs, particularly among young people. In some cases, people may feel pressured to keep up with trends, leading to materialism or reduced self-esteem. Additionally, not everyone has the means to follow these trends, which may create social divides.

In conclusion, the impact of global fashion is driven by digital connectivity and international markets. While the trend brings both benefits and drawbacks, it is important to maintain cultural identity and resist placing too much value on external appearance.

Final Word:

This is a well-organised, thoughtful response with a clear argument and real potential. Your strongest point is your structure — every paragraph has a purpose. To reach Band 8.0, focus on tightening phrasing, upgrading vocabulary, and cleaning up small grammar slips. Try revising just one paragraph using stronger transitions and more advanced structures this week. You’re very close to your goal — a few smart changes will push you over the line.

© 2025 IELTS Writing Guru – Sample use only

Want feedback like this for your writing? Submit your essay here.

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