Band 5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Video Games Essay: Clarity and Coherence Issues
Sample Answer with Feedback

πŸ“… Published Feb 2026⏱️ 40 minutes recommendedπŸ“ 304 words Β· Band 5
This band 5 IELTS essay on video games highlights significant clarity and coherence issues. While it explores the topic, the opinion on whether drawbacks outweigh benefits is unclear, affecting the overall effectiveness of the argument.

IELTS Writing Task 2 Question

Agree/ Disagree (Opinion) Β· Video games Β· 40 min

Video games are seen by some as a harmless form of entertainment, or even a useful way to learn new skills. However, others argue that video games have a negative impact on the people who play them. In your opinion, do the drawbacks of video games outweigh the benefits?

Write at least 250 words.



5Band

Overall Band Score

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

5
Task Response
4.5
Grammar
5
Vocabulary
5
Coherence

Score Breakdown

IELTS Writing Band Scores (1–9)

Overall Band Score
5
Task Response
5
Grammatical Range & Accuracy
4.5
Lexical Resource (Vocabulary)
5
Coherence & Cohesion
5

Summary: The essay meets the minimum word count of 250 words (actual: 304) and addresses the topic, but the position on whether drawbacks outweigh benefits is unclear and inconsistently presented. There are significant issues with coherence, vocabulary accuracy, and grammar, which reduce overall effectiveness.

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Student Answer
Real submission β€’ 304 words β€’ Annotated
304 wordsβ€’Band 5β€’WritingPart2
● Spelling● Grammar● Vocabulary

Video games often viewed as an ideal medium of learning new skills however, some claimed that video games have significant number of disadvantages among video gamers.This essay will thoroghly examine both advantages and disadvantages of video games before addressing my own opinion.
First of all,regarding with advantages of video games ,part-time entertainment may be one of the key benefit of playing video games.The main reason of video games provide entertainment is that its sophisticate animation which can easily amused a player.As a consequence,individuals may spend a lot of time on playing or either watching video games.However,online games can not provide a wide range of educational opportunities those can facilitate an individual personal growth.
On the other hand,considering of disadvantages ,animated games may have numerous underlying aspects those can easily outweigh its' benefits.Firstly,poor-eyesight which may stem from excessive screen time watching.Due to excessive screen time watching,individuals may suffer from a wide range of eye-related diseases such as - glucoma,retinal infection which can negatively impact on individuals health.Secondly,over-relaince on smartphones,computers may reduce the time schedule of social interaction , due to social isolation individuals may feel lonliness.Thirdly,constant connectivity with digital devices can limited the time schedule of physical excercise.Consequently, a wide range diseases for instance-obsity, over-weight can be occured owing to insufficient physical excercise.Moreover,long-time video game playing can badly affected individuals regular time schedule which is the major drawback of this habit.The reason for long-time video game playing can negatively impact individuals time schedule is that excessive game playing may kill valuable time of daily life those can be used to develop a new skill.
In conclusion,although video games may provide flexible option for lesiure ,i think that it shouldnot be used as a tool of learning new skill.Therefore, i firmly believe that the drawbacks of animated games may not be able to outwiegh its' benefits.

AI Feedback Report Details

Spelling Β· Grammar Β· Vocabulary Β· Criteria Analysis

Spelling Mistakes

14 errors
Misspelled WordCorrected Word
thoroghlythoroughly
benefitbenefits
sophisticatesophisticated
amusedamuse
glucomaglaucoma
relaincereliance
lonlinessloneliness
excerciseexercise
obsityobesity
occuredoccurred
affectedaffect
lesiureleisure
shouldnotshould not
outwieghoutweigh

Grammatical Mistakes

16 errors
MistakeCorrectionExplanation
Video games often viewedVideo games are often viewedMissing auxiliary verb 'are' for passive voice
medium of learningmedium for learningPreposition error; 'for' is used to indicate purpose
some claimedsome claimTense inconsistency; use present tense for general statements
have significant numberhave a significant numberMissing article 'a' before 'significant number'
regarding with advantagesregarding the advantagesIncorrect phrase; 'regarding' does not require 'with'
one of the key benefitone of the key benefitsSubject-verb agreement: 'one of the' requires a plural noun
The main reason of video games provide entertainmentThe main reason video games provide entertainmentIncorrect structure; use 'reason' directly followed by clause, or 'reason for' with gerund
its sophisticate animationtheir sophisticated animationPronoun agreement: 'video games' is plural, so use 'their'; 'sophisticated' is the adjective form
which can easily amused a playerwhich can easily amuse a playerVerb form error: after modal 'can', use base form 'amuse'
opportunities those can facilitateopportunities that can facilitateRelative pronoun error: use 'that' for restrictive clauses referring to things
an individual personal growthan individual's personal growthPossessive needed: growth belongs to the individual
aspects those can easily outweigh its' benefitsaspects that can easily outweigh their benefitsRelative pronoun error: use 'that'; possessive error: 'its'' is incorrect for plural, use 'their'
which can negatively impact on individuals healthwhich can negatively impact individuals' healthPreposition error: 'impact' is transitive and does not require 'on'; possessive form needed
can limited the time schedulecan limit the time forVerb form error: after modal 'can', use base form 'limit'; 'time for' is more appropriate than 'time schedule of'
provide flexible option for lesiureprovide a flexible option for leisureMissing article 'a' before 'flexible option'
it shouldnot be used as a tool of learning new skillthey should not be used as a tool for learning new skillsPronoun error: 'video games' is plural, so use 'they'; contraction error: 'should not' is correct; preposition error: 'for learning' is standard collocation; pluralize 'skill' for consistency

Vocabulary Improvements

7 suggestions
Original Word/PhraseImproved Word/PhraseExplanation
part-time entertainmentcasual entertainmentVague; 'casual' is more precise for leisure activities in this context
sophisticate animationsophisticated graphicsIncorrect word form; 'sophisticated' is adjective; 'graphics' is commonly used for video games
amused a playerengage a playerInformal; 'engage' is more academic and precise for holding attention
kill valuable timeconsume valuable timeColloquial expression; 'consume' is more formal and suitable for academic writing
time scheduletimeAwkward collocation; 'time' alone is sufficient in contexts like 'time for social interaction' or 'time for exercise'
badly affectedadversely affectInformal; 'adversely affect' is more precise and formal for negative impacts
tool of learningtool for learningWrong collocation; 'for learning' is the standard preposition after 'tool'

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Detailed Criteria Feedback

AI-powered analysis for each scoring criterion

Task Response5
Evaluation
The essay partially addresses the task by discussing both benefits and drawbacks, but the opinion is confusing. The introduction promises an examination, but the body underdevelops advantages while detailing disadvantages. The conclusion states that drawbacks 'may not be able to outweigh' benefits, which is contradictory to earlier points and poorly expressed.
Examples
The benefits are briefly mentioned (e.g., 'part-time entertainment'), but the essay focuses more on drawbacks like eye problems and social isolation. The conclusion says 'i firmly believe that the drawbacks... may not be able to outwiegh its' benefits,' which lacks clarity.
How to Improve
Clearly state your position in the introduction and maintain it throughout. Develop both sides with balanced, specific examples, and ensure the conclusion reinforces your opinion without contradiction.
Coherence & Cohesion5
Evaluation
The essay has a basic structure with an introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion, but coherence is hampered by awkward transitions and poor paragraphing. Linking words are sometimes misused, and ideas do not flow smoothly.
Examples
Phrases like 'First of all,regarding with advantages' are incorrectly phrased. The second body paragraph lists drawbacks without clear logical progression, using 'Firstly,' 'Secondly,' but the connections between points are weak.
How to Improve
Use appropriate cohesive devices (e.g., 'Furthermore,' 'In contrast') to link ideas. Improve paragraph structure by having one main idea per paragraph and ensuring topic sentences are clear.
Lexical Resource5
Evaluation
Vocabulary is limited and often inaccurate, with frequent spelling errors and inappropriate word choices. There is an attempt to use a range of words, but errors impede communication.
Examples
Misspellings: 'thoroghly' (thoroughly), 'lesiure' (leisure), 'outwiegh' (outweigh). Incorrect word forms: 'sophisticate animation' (sophisticated animation), 'excercise' (exercise). Repetition of terms like 'video games' and 'animated games'.
How to Improve
Expand vocabulary by learning topic-related words and their correct forms. Practice spelling and use a dictionary to verify word choices. Aim for more precise and varied expressions.
Grammatical Range & Accuracy4.5
Evaluation
Grammatical errors are frequent and sometimes severe, affecting clarity. Sentence structures are mostly simple, with errors in verb tenses, subject-verb agreement, and article usage.
Examples
Missing verbs: 'video games often viewed' (should be 'are often viewed'). Incorrect verb forms: 'can easily amused' (should be 'can easily amuse'), 'can limited' (should be 'can limit'). Tense errors: 'some claimed' (should be 'claim' or 'argue').
How to Improve
Focus on basic grammar rules, particularly verb tenses and sentence structure. Practice writing complex sentences correctly and proofread 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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