Some people like to try new things, for example, places to visit and types of food. Other people prefer to keep doing things they are familiar with. Discuss both these attitudes and give your own opinion.

Same questionCompare 4 different answers (Band 5.5–8)

Sample Response

1

We can broadly categorise people into two main segments: the first segment of people are comfortable with living in the same place, eating the same types of food, having a career that involves pretty much doing the same thing and taking almost no risks, while others are completely the opposite who find the meaning of life through risks and challenges and are not afraid of trying new things. This essay will explore both perspectives. Personally, I like to take risks, face challenges and enjoy the diversity of the world through travelling, and I favourthrough travelling and favour the second group of people.

2

People who avoid challenges or rarelyscarcely try new things are comfortable with the lifestyle they already have. They do not want to make life complicated by taking on new challenges that might bring misery or dissatisfaction in their livesdissatisfaction to their life. Such people are often contentcontended with whatever they have and wish to stay in their comfort zone. Since they are afraid of failure, their success is also limited. We can see many people around us who fall in this category, who, despite seeing potential in a new career, never dare to change their existing job or even detest the idea of trying new food.

3

On the other hand, there are people who believe that change is constant and that taking on challenges is something that makes life thrilling and enjoyable. They embrace new ideas, travel to challenging destinationstravel to difficult places, try new food, experience diversity inof life and culture, and become easily bored with doingget easily bored doing the same thing for a long timefor a long. These people take risks that may bring successtake risks that bring success. However, such successBut such success is not always guaranteed because they may also failas failure can also befall them. I also know such people, and I consider myself one of them. They are often trailblazers and inventorsthe trailblazer and inventors, builders and creators of new productsthings and ideas. For instance, despite having a good job in a multinational company, one of my cousins opened a boutiquestarted a boutique business. No one initially supported his move, but now he is so successful that many others cite him as a successful examplecite him as an example of success.

4

In conclusion, remaining in a comfort zonebeing in the comfort zone, doing familiar things and taking minimal risks may guarantee comfort and stability in life, but real successin life but real success and great inventions and ideas come from taking risks and embracing challenges. I am always in favour of the second attitudesecond type of attitude that makes life worth living.

Overall assessment

Why this response received Band 7.5

The response clearly discusses both attitudes, sustains a personal preference for novelty, and supports that view with a specific and well-integrated example. Its main limitation is that people who prefer familiarity are characterised somewhat simplistically as fearful and less successful, while occasional inaccurate word choices and structures reduce polish. The priority is to present a more balanced explanation of stability and then compare it explicitly with the rewards and risks of experimentation.

Band score breakdown

IELTS Writing Criteria Scores

TR

Task Response

7.5
Scoring rule

Both attitudes are fully discussed and the writer's preference is clear throughout, with relevant reasoning and a concrete example, though the familiar-routine perspective is somewhat stereotyped.

Next step

Develop a fairer account of why familiarity can be rational, such as security or expertise, before explaining why novelty still offers greater value overall.

CC

Coherence and Cohesion

8.0
Scoring rule

The essay has clear progression from the two-group framing through separate discussions to a comparative conclusion, with effective paragraphing and cohesive links.

Next step

Tighten the lengthy opening sentence and make the final comparison echo the strongest reason from each body paragraph for an even sharper progression.

LR

Lexical Resource

7.5
Scoring rule

Vocabulary is wide and generally precise across risk, comfort, and achievement, with occasional slips such as "contended," singular "trailblazer," and "doing the same thing for a long."

Next step

Correct the few inaccurate or unnatural choices, using "content," "trailblazers," and "for a long time," while preserving the effective topic-specific range.

GRA

Grammatical Range and Accuracy

7.5
Scoring rule

A broad variety of complex structures is used with good control, although some long sentences, agreement errors, and relative-clause constructions are imperfect.

Next step

Edit the longest sentences for clean parallel structure and agreement, particularly the opening comparison and the sentence describing trailblazers and inventors.

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IELTS Writing Task 2

Some people like to try new things, for example, places to visit and types of food. Other people prefer to keep doing things they are familiar with. Discuss both these attitudes and give your own opinion.

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