Recent IELTS Writing Task 2 - Children are influenced by friends

Children are often influenced by their friends in many ways. 

Why do children get influenced by their friends? What can parents do to ensure their children make good friends? 

📌 Note: This question appeared in the PBT-IELTS Writing exam on 1st November, 2025 in Canada. 

All IELTS Writing Task 2 Questions – Click to View 

Band 9 Sample Answer:

While some people believe that children are mostly influenced by their families, it is undeniable that friends also have a major impact on a child’s behaviour and personality. This essay will discuss the reasons why children are easily influenced by their peers and explain how parents can guide them to form positive friendships.

On the one hand, there are several reasons why children are often influenced by their friends. Firstly, during childhood and adolescence, young people naturally seek acceptance and belonging. They often imitate the habits, language, and attitudes of their peers in order to fit in and be part of a social group. For example, a student may start dressing or talking like their classmates to avoid feeling left out. Secondly, friends spend a significant amount of time together—both at school and online—which strengthens emotional bonds and increases the likelihood of shared behaviours. Since children are still developing their sense of identity, they tend to view their friends as role models, especially in situations where parental supervision is limited.

On the other hand, there are various steps parents can take to ensure their children make good friends. One effective approach is open communication. When parents talk regularly with their children about their social lives, they can offer guidance without being overly controlling. Another way is to involve children in structured group activities such as sports, music, or community programs, where they can meet peers with similar positive interests. Additionally, parents should set a good example themselves, as children often learn interpersonal skills from observing adult relationships. By promoting empathy, respect, and honesty at home, parents indirectly encourage their children to seek the same qualities in their friends.

In conclusion, children are easily influenced by their friends because they crave social acceptance and spend considerable time together. However, parents can play a key role by communicating openly, encouraging healthy social environments, and modelling positive behaviour themselves.

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Band 9 Insights Based on IELTS Writing Band Descriptors:

1. Task Response (Band 9)

• Fully addresses both parts of the question:
  • Explains why children are influenced by peers.
  • Suggests what parents can do.
• Each idea is extended with specific explanations and examples.
• The essay presents a clear position throughout — balanced and focused.
• Ideas go beyond surface-level reasoning, showing depth and insight.

2. Coherence and Cohesion (Band 9)

• Follows the four-paragraph structure from the reference essay:
  1. Introduction (paraphrase + outline)
  2. Why children get influenced
  3. What parents can do
  4. Conclusion (summary + final comment)
• Logical flow and progression from causes to solutions.
• Cohesive devices used naturally: “Firstly,” “Secondly,” “On the other hand,” “Additionally,” “In conclusion.”
• Smooth transitions between ideas — no mechanical linking.

3. Lexical Resource (Band 9)

• Sophisticated and context-appropriate vocabulary:
  “seek acceptance and belonging,” “imitate habits,” “emotional bonds,” “structured group activities,” “interpersonal skills,” “modelling positive behaviour.”
• Natural collocations: “developing their sense of identity,” “crave social acceptance,” “open communication,” “healthy social environments.”
• Vocabulary is precise, academic, and varied without being forced.

4. Grammatical Range and Accuracy (Band 9)

• Wide range of complex structures used flawlessly:
  • “Since children are still developing their sense of identity, they tend to view their friends as role models.”
  • “When parents talk regularly with their children about their social lives, they can offer guidance without being overly controlling.”
• Excellent use of dependent clauses, conditionals, and participle phrases.
• No grammatical or punctuation errors — writing reads naturally and fluently.

Overall Band: 9.0

This essay achieves Band 9 because it:

• Fully answers the question with depth and precision.
• Demonstrates clear, logical progression.
• Uses advanced but natural vocabulary.
• Maintains grammatical accuracy and coherence throughout.

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