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

πŸ“… Published Apr 2026⏱️ 40 minutes recommendedπŸ“ 282 words Β· Band 5.5
This essay received a Band 5.5 for the IELTS Writing Task 2 on the topic of living alone. While it addresses the opinion that living alone is negative, it struggles with cohesion and vocabulary. Understanding these feedback points can help you enhance your writing skills and achieve a better score.

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.



5.5Band

Overall Band Score

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

6
Task Response
5
Grammar
5.5
Vocabulary
5.5
Coherence

Score Breakdown

IELTS Writing Band Scores (1–9)

Overall Band Score
5.5
Task Response
6
Grammatical Range & Accuracy
5
Lexical Resource (Vocabulary)
5.5
Coherence & Cohesion
5.5

Summary: The essay meets the word count (282 words) and directly addresses the question by arguing that living alone is a negative development. However, the task response is limited due to repetitive ideas and lack of depth. Coherence and cohesion are basic with some awkward transitions. Lexical resource is hampered by spelling errors and repetitive vocabulary. Grammatical range and accuracy are weak with frequent errors, affecting clarity.

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Student Answer
Real submission β€’ 282 words β€’ Annotated
282 wordsβ€’Band 5.5β€’WritingPart2
● Spelling● Grammar● Vocabulary

In some countries, a large number of people are happy in living alone these days as compare to the past. I believe that this is a negative devolpment.
In the past people opted to be in groups either in the form of friends or family circle. They always shared their good and bad moments with each other which always resulted a good bond between them. In old days, sharing your problems with each other was very common and it always provided different solutions to a person, who is facing a particular problem. People were used to help each other more than today.
Now a days, many people are deciding to live alone, which is replicating very bad impacts, not only on theirselves but also on the society as a whole. They don't like to sit in social gatherings amd family meetings. Now it has become a habit for most of the people to live alone which as a result cuts them off from the society. They don't share their problems with others diseases like anxiety and depression" title="Correction: which causes diseases like anxiety and depression">which causes the diseases like anxiety and depression. Anoher bad effect of living alone is disturbed sleep pattern. People who like to live alone don't enjoy enough physical activities which results overthinking in those people due to which they can't sleep properly. Another bad effect is the dimmed physical health of those people who love to live alone. Because of less physical health, they are unable to perform their tasks efficiently and effectively.
I conclude here that living alone turns up with less effectiveness and participation in social and phyisical activities which also bad impacts" title="Correction: results in bad impacts">results bad impacts on physical and mental health of the perosn himse, who opts to live alone.

AI Feedback Report Details

Spelling Β· Grammar Β· Vocabulary Β· Criteria Analysis

Spelling Mistakes

7 errors
Misspelled WordCorrected Word
devolpmentdevelopment
amdand
AnoherAnother
phyisicalphysical
perosnperson
himsehimself
theirselvesthemselves

Grammatical Mistakes

12 errors
MistakeCorrectionExplanation
as compare to the pastas compared to the pastIncorrect verb form; 'compared' should be in past participle form.
happy in living alonehappy living alonePreposition misuse; 'in' is not needed before the gerund.
which always resulted a good bondwhich always resulted in a good bondMissing preposition 'in' after 'resulted'.
In old daysIn the old daysArticle 'the' is required before 'old days'.
People were used to help each otherPeople used to help each other'Were used to' implies acclimation; for past habits, 'used to' is correct.
Now a daysNowadaysIncorrect phrasing; 'Nowadays' is a single word.
which causes the diseases like anxiety and depressionwhich causes diseases like anxiety and depressionOmit 'the' for general reference to diseases.
disturbed sleep patterna disturbed sleep patternArticle needed for clarity.
which results overthinkingwhich results in overthinkingMissing preposition 'in' after 'results'.
Because of less physical healthBecause of poorer physical health'Less' is not idiomatic for health; 'poorer' is more appropriate.
turns up withleads toIncorrect phrasal verb; 'turns up' means appears, not causes.
results bad impactsresults in bad impactsMissing preposition 'in' after 'results'.

Vocabulary Improvements

7 suggestions
Original Word/PhraseImproved Word/PhraseExplanation
replicatingcausingWrong word choice; 'replicating' means copying, not causing effects.
bad impactsnegative impacts'Bad' is informal; 'negative' is more academic.
sit in social gatheringsattend social gatherings'Sit in' is vague; 'attend' is more precise.
cuts them off from the societyisolates them from society'Cuts off' is informal; 'isolates' is more formal and precise.
diseases like anxiety and depressionconditions such as anxiety and depression'Diseases' is less accurate for mental health; 'conditions' or 'disorders' is better.
dimmed physical healthdiminished physical health'Dimmed' is not collocated with health; 'diminished' indicates reduction.
less effectivenessreduced effectiveness'Less' is informal; 'reduced' is more precise in academic writing.

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Detailed Criteria Feedback

AI-powered analysis for each scoring criterion

Task Response6
Evaluation
The essay presents a clear opinion that living alone is negative, and it stays on topic. However, the development of ideas is somewhat repetitive and lacks extension. For instance, the comparison between past and present is made but not elaborated with specific examples or evidence.
Examples
The writer mentions that in the past, people shared problems and helped each other, but does not provide concrete examples. The negative effects of living alone (e.g., anxiety, poor sleep) are listed but not deeply explored.
How to Improve
To improve, extend each point with specific examples or data. Consider addressing potential positive aspects briefly to show balance, even if arguing for one side. Ensure each paragraph fully develops one main idea.
Coherence & Cohesion5.5
Evaluation
The essay has a basic structure with an introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. However, cohesion is weakened by incorrect transitions and limited linking devices. Paragraphing is present but could be more logically organized.
Examples
Abrupt shift from past to present with 'Now a days' (should be 'Nowadays'). The phrase 'social gatherings amd family meetings' contains a typo ('amd' for 'and'), disrupting flow. The conclusion is brief and does not effectively summarize the arguments.
How to Improve
Use a variety of cohesive devices (e.g., 'Furthermore,' 'In contrast,' 'As a result') to connect ideas. Proofread for typos that affect readability. Ensure each paragraph has a clear topic sentence and supporting sentences that link smoothly.
Lexical Resource5.5
Evaluation
Vocabulary is basic and repetitive, with several spelling errors that impede communication. There is an attempt to use topic-related terms, but precision is lacking.
Examples
Misspellings: 'devolpment' (development), 'phyisical' (physical), 'perosn' (person), 'himse' (himself). Inaccurate word choice: 'replicating' for 'having' or 'causing'; 'dimmed physical health' is not idiomatic. Repetition of 'bad impacts' and 'living alone'.
How to Improve
Expand vocabulary by learning synonyms (e.g., 'detrimental' instead of 'bad'). Practice spelling and use a dictionary. Use more precise adjectives to describe effects (e.g., 'mental health issues' instead of 'diseases like anxiety').
Grammatical Range & Accuracy5
Evaluation
Grammatical errors are frequent, and sentence structures are mostly simple with attempts at complexity that are often incorrect. This affects clarity and range.
Examples
Incorrect phrases: 'as compare to the past' (should be 'as compared to'), 'which always resulted a good bond' (missing 'in'), 'People were used to help each other' (should be 'People used to help'), 'due to which they can't sleep properly' (awkward construction). Verb tense errors and article omissions are common.
How to Improve
Focus on mastering basic grammar rules, especially verb tenses, prepositions, and articles. Practice writing complex sentences with subordinate clauses correctly. Proofread essays to identify and correct 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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