Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Essay on Living Alone: Clarity and Depth Issues
Sample Answer with Feedback

πŸ“… Published Mar 2026 ⏱️ 40 minutes recommended πŸ“ 272 words Β· Band 5.5
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This Band 5.5 IELTS writing task 2 essay argues that living alone is a negative trend. While it meets the word count, clarity and depth issues limit its effectiveness. Understanding these feedback points can help you enhance your writing skills significantly.

IELTS Writing Task 2 Question

Agree/ Disagree (Opinion) Β· Living Alone Β· 40 min


In some countries, more and more people are opting to live alone these days than before. Do you think this is a positive or negative development? 

Write at least 250 words.



5.5 Band

Overall Band Score

272 words · Agree/ Disagree (Opinion) Β· AI Evaluated

6
Task Response
5.5
Coherence
5
Lexical Resource
5
Grammar

Score Breakdown

IELTS Writing Band Scores (1–9)

Task Response
6
Coherence and Cohesion
5.5
Lexical Resource
5
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
5

Summary: The essay meets the word count requirement (272 words) and addresses the topic by arguing that living alone is a negative development. However, the arguments are simplistic and lack depth, with frequent language errors that affect clarity and coherence.

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Student Answer
Real submission β€’ 272 words β€’ Annotated
272 words Band 5.5 WritingPart2
● Spelling ● Grammar ● Vocabulary

It is argued that among some nations the number of individual who spend life alone are increasing. This essay belives that this is a negative habit because this is unnatural and can have adverse impact on society.

Nature has given human beings a code of life and a way to live. Human beings are complex machines, they need a companion to share their problems and achievements with them. Furthermore, Creator has made two genders male and female, opposite sex mates for each other to live together, care for each other and be a source of existance of mankind on the earth, for example husband wife care for each other and raise a family together. Moreover, a person with a house hold has an organised and disciplined life, has a sense of responsibility for their family, they have to earn for them, care for thier well being and for the preople related to them like friends, colleagues and teachers, thus become a useful member of society. If a member in a family become ill there are others to lookafter and takr care.
To add further, a lonely person become mentally ill and sometimes indulge in negative and criminal activities. They have no responsibility, spend lavishly without any urge for savings. Finally, they become introvert, think of themselves only, selfish which force them to find out their benefit in every act and everything they do in life without caring for others.
To conclude, in some countries the trend of living away from people is an un natural way of life that result in a number of problems for the individual as well as society.

AI Feedback Report Details

Spelling Β· Grammar Β· Vocabulary Β· Criteria Analysis

Spelling Mistakes

8 errors
Misspelled Word Corrected Word
belives believes
existance existence
thier their
preople people
lookafter look after
takr take
un natural unnatural
house hold household

Grammatical Mistakes

9 errors
Mistake Correction Explanation
the number of individual who spend life alone are increasing the number of individuals who spend their lives alone is increasing Subject-verb agreement: 'the number' is singular, so 'is'; also, 'individual' should be plural 'individuals', and 'life' should be 'lives' for plural reference
can have adverse impact can have an adverse impact Article misuse: 'impact' is a countable noun here, so it requires an article
Human beings are complex machines, they need a companion Human beings are complex machines; they need a companion Run-on sentence: comma splice. Use a semicolon or conjunction to separate independent clauses
for example husband wife care for example, a husband and wife care Missing articles and conjunction: 'a' before 'husband' and 'and' between 'husband' and 'wife'
a person with a household has... they have to earn for them a person with a household has... he or she has to earn for his or her family Pronoun-antecedent agreement: 'a person' is singular, so use singular pronouns like 'he or she' and 'his or her'
If a member in a family become ill If a member of a family becomes ill Subject-verb agreement: 'a member' is singular, so the verb should be 'becomes'
a lonely person become mentally ill and sometimes indulge a lonely person becomes mentally ill and sometimes indulges Subject-verb agreement: 'a person' is singular, so verbs should be singular 'becomes' and 'indulges'
they become introvert, think of themselves only, selfish which force they become introverted, think only of themselves, and become selfish, which forces Adjective form: 'introverted' not 'introvert'; parallel structure: use consistent verb forms; 'which' refers to the situation, so 'forces' is singular
is an un natural way of life that result in is an unnatural way of life that results in Subject-verb agreement: 'way of life' is singular, so the verb should be 'results'

Vocabulary Improvements

8 suggestions
Original Word/Phrase Improved Word/Phrase Explanation
negative habit detrimental trend 'Habit' refers to individual behavior; 'trend' is more appropriate for societal changes
code of life inherent nature Too vague; use more precise terminology for human design or purpose
complex machines social beings Informal metaphor; standard academic term is 'social beings'
Creator Nature Avoid religious references in academic writing; use neutral terms
opposite sex mates opposite-sex partners Informal and awkward; 'partners' is more appropriate and formal
source of existence of mankind perpetuation of the human species More precise and academic phrasing for the continuation of humanity
urge for savings desire to save 'Urge' is informal; 'desire' is more formal in academic context
find out their benefit seek their own benefit Informal phrasal verb; use more formal expression like 'seek'

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Detailed Criteria Feedback

AI-powered analysis for each scoring criterion

Task Response 6
Evaluation
The candidate presents a clear position that living alone is negative, but the development of ideas is limited. The essay relies on moral and naturalistic arguments without exploring potential benefits or providing balanced analysis.
Examples
For example, the essay states that living alone is 'unnatural' and that people need companions, but does not consider reasons why individuals might choose to live alone, such as independence or personal freedom.
How to Improve
To improve, consider acknowledging the opposite viewpoint briefly to show a broader understanding, and expand on examples with more detail and relevance to modern society.
Coherence and Cohesion 5.5
Evaluation
The essay has a basic structure with an introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. However, the flow of ideas within paragraphs is sometimes disjointed, and cohesive devices are used inconsistently.
Examples
In the first body paragraph, the discussion moves from companionship to gender roles to family responsibilities without clear transitions. Phrases like 'To add further' are used but do not effectively link ideas.
How to Improve
Use a range of linking words and phrases to connect sentences and paragraphs. Ensure each paragraph has a clear topic sentence and that all sentences in the paragraph support that topic.
Lexical Resource 5
Evaluation
The vocabulary range is limited, and there are several spelling errors, which reduce the clarity and sophistication of the essay.
Examples
Misspellings such as 'existance' (existence), 'preople' (people), and 'introvers' (introvert). Repetitive use of words like 'negative' and 'unnatural'.
How to Improve
Expand vocabulary by learning and using synonyms for common words. Practice spelling and use a dictionary to check word forms. Incorporate topic-specific vocabulary related to social trends and living arrangements.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy 5
Evaluation
There are frequent grammatical errors, including subject-verb agreement issues, comma splices, and incomplete sentences, which hinder communication.
Examples
Errors like 'the number of individual... are increasing' (should be 'individuals... is increasing'), 'Human beings are complex machines, they need...' (comma splice), and 'opposite sex mates for each other' (incomplete sentence).
How to Improve
Focus on constructing complete sentences with correct subject-verb agreement. Avoid run-on sentences by using periods or conjunctions. Practice writing complex sentences with appropriate clauses and proofread for errors.
πŸ’‘
Tip: Review the Band 9 model answer to see how a high-scoring essay structures arguments, uses advanced vocabulary, and maintains coherence throughout.

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