IELTS Writing Task 2 Band 6 sample essay with examiner-style comments
Read a realistic Band 6 Task 2 essay, see exactly why it scored 6, and learn the specific changes that would push it toward Band 7.
By English Grader study guides · AI-assisted educational content · Official sources linked below
The short answer
Band 6 essays usually answer the question but develop ideas unevenly and repeat vocabulary—fixing development is the fastest route to 7.
The sample essay
Question: Some people think children should start school at a very young age. Others believe they should start later. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
Band 6 extract
Nowadays many parents want their children go to school early. There are advantages and disadvantages about this. On one hand, starting school early help children to learn social skills. On the other hand, young children need to play and they can be stressed in school. In my opinion, children should start school at age six.
Why it scores Band 6
The position is clear and both views appear, but ideas are not extended, there are frequent grammar slips ('want their children go', 'help children'), and vocabulary is general.
- Task Response: addressed but under-developed
- Coherence: clear but mechanical linkers
- Lexical: adequate, some errors
- Grammar: mix of simple and complex, noticeable errors
Related guide: Compare with a Band 7 essay
How to move it to Band 7
Add a reason and example to each view, fix verb patterns, and replace general words with precise collocations.
Write and compare your own essay →Put this into practice
Write your own answer to a Task 2 question and compare your feedback with this Band 6 example.
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Official sources and further reading
Practice examples and study routines are illustrative advice, not official band-scored answers or predictions of exam questions.