IELTS Speaking Part 2: A Rule You Dislike - Band 6/7/8/9 Sample Answers (2026)

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Full Prompt

IELTS Speaking Part 2:

Describe a rule you do not agree with. You should say:

• What the rule is
• Why you disagree with it
• What you would do if you could change it
• And explain how you feel about this rule.

You will have 1-2 minutes to talk about this topic. You may make some notes to help you if you wish.

Band 6.0 Answer

Candidate A (Band 6.0)

There is one rule that I really don't like. It's the rule that says students cannot use their phones during class time. I think this rule is not good because sometimes we need to use our phones for important things like checking messages from our families or looking up information for class. Also, it is not fair because teachers can use their phones but students cannot.

If I could change this rule, I would make it so that students can use their phones quietly if it is important. Maybe we could have special times during class when we can check our phones but not during the teacher's explanation. I think this would be better because we would not be so distracted and we could still communicate with our families.

I feel annoyed about this rule because it seems like the teachers do not trust us. They think we will just play games or use social media, but many students are responsible. It is not a good rule and I hope they will change it soon.

Scoring Breakdown

• Task Response (TR): 5.0 - Presents a relevant rule but with some repetition
• Coherence & Cohesion (CC): 6.0 - Uses some linking words but with some incoherence
• Lexical Resource (LR): 6.0 - Uses some less common vocabulary with occasional errors
• Grammatical Range & Accuracy (GRA): 6.0 - Makes frequent grammatical errors that may impede communication

Band 7.0 Answer

Candidate B (Band 7.0)

One rule that I strongly disagree with is the regulation that prohibits students from entering the library with food or drinks. In my opinion, this is an outdated rule that needs to be revised. I understand that the library is a place for studying and we should keep it quiet, but preventing students from having snacks or water during long study sessions is unreasonable.

If I had the authority, I would modify this rule by allowing students to bring small snacks and sealed water bottles into the library. I believe this would improve concentration rather than distract from it. Many students study for hours without breaks, and having something to eat or drink can help maintain their focus and energy levels.

I feel frustrated about this rule because it seems to prioritize cleanliness over students' practical needs. While I agree that spills should be avoided, the current policy is too strict. I hope the university will reconsider this regulation and find a more balanced solution.

Scoring Breakdown

• Task Response (TR): 6.5 - Presents a relevant rule with some extension and some repetition
• Coherence & Cohesion (CC): 7.0 - Uses linking words effectively but with minor incoherence
• Lexical Resource (LR): 7.0 - Uses some less common vocabulary appropriately with some errors
• Grammatical Range & Accuracy (GRA): 7.0 - Makes occasional grammatical errors but generally communicates clearly

Band 8.0 Answer

Candidate C (Band 8.0)

A rule that particularly irks me is the municipal ordinance that mandates a strict 10 PM curfew for all public transportation. While I appreciate the intent behind ensuring public safety, this regulation is excessively stringent and fails to consider the diverse needs of citizens, particularly students and night-shift workers.

If given the opportunity to amend this rule, I would advocate for a more flexible policy. For instance, implementing a phased reduction in service rather than an abrupt halt could better accommodate those who need to travel late at night. Additionally, increasing the frequency of late-night transportation options could alleviate the current burden on both commuters and drivers.

My sentiment towards this rule is one of frustration tinged with understanding. While I acknowledge the need for safety measures, the current policy is overly restrictive and does not align with the realities of modern urban life. A more nuanced approach would be beneficial for all stakeholders involved.

Scoring Breakdown

• Task Response (TR): 7.5 - Presents a relevant rule with clear explanation and some extension
• Coherence & Cohesion (CC): 8.0 - Uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms effectively
• Lexical Resource (LR): 8.0 - Uses a range of vocabulary appropriately with occasional less common lexis
• Grammatical Range & Accuracy (GRA): 8.0 - Uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms with good control

Band 9.0 Answer

Candidate D (Band 9.0)

A particular regulation that I find contentious is the university's prohibition on students using personal electronic devices during lectures. While I recognize the institution's aim to minimize distractions, this blanket ban is counterproductive and fails to address the root cause of students' inattention.

Were I to revise this policy, I would implement a tiered approach. During critical portions of the lecture, such as presentations or guest speeches, I would enforce a strict no-device policy. However, for less intensive segments, I would permit the discreet use of devices for note-taking or supplementary research. Furthermore, I would advocate for incorporating more engaging teaching methods to naturally reduce the temptation to use devices for non-academic purposes.

My perspective on this rule is one of measured dissent. I appreciate the university's efforts to enhance the learning environment, but I believe this policy is overly prescriptive and could be more effectively designed with input from both students and faculty. A collaborative approach would yield a more balanced and practical solution.

Scoring Breakdown

• Task Response (TR): 9.0 - Presents a relevant rule with a clear position, explanation, and extension
• Coherence & Cohesion (CC): 9.0 - Uses coherent paragraphs and a clear progression of ideas
• Lexical Resource (LR): 9.0 - Uses a wide range of vocabulary fluently and flexibly with rare errors
• Grammatical Range & Accuracy (GRA): 9.0 - Uses a wide range of complex sentence forms with full flexibility and control

Vocabulary Highlights

1. Irk (verb): to annoy or irritate someone.

• Example: "The new traffic rules really irk me because they add unnecessary complications."

1. Municipal (adjective): relating to the government or administration of a city.

• Example: "The municipal council has proposed new regulations for public transportation."

1. Ordinance (noun): an official order or law, especially one of a city or local government.

• Example: "The city ordinance requires all businesses to close by midnight."

1. Curfew (noun): an order that requires people to stay indoors between certain hours, especially at night.

• Example: "The government imposed a curfew to maintain public order during the festival."

1. Stringent (adjective): strict, precise, and exacting.

• Example: "The new environmental regulations are quite stringent and require significant changes."

1. Altercation (noun): a noisy argument or disagreement, especially in public.

• Example: "The altercation between the two drivers caused a traffic jam."

1. Contentious (adjective): causing or likely to cause an argument; controversial.

• Example: "The new tax policy is highly contentious and has sparked debates nationwide."

1. Prescriptive (adjective): giving a rule or set of rules that must be obeyed.

• Example: "The new diet plan is very prescriptive and does not allow for any flexibility."

1. Collaborative (adjective): produced or done by two or more people working together.

• Example: "The collaborative effort between the two companies resulted in a groundbreaking product."

1. Dissent (noun): the expression or holding of opinions at variance with those previously, commonly, or officially held.

• Example: "There was a note of dissent in the otherwise unanimous vote."

1. Counterproductive (adjective): achieving something opposite to what was intended.

• Example: "The new policy has proven to be counterproductive and has worsened the situation."

1. Tinged (verb): to give a slight trace or tinge of a particular quality or feeling to.

• Example: "Her words were tinged with sadness as she spoke about her past."

1. Nuanced (adjective): characterized by subtle differences or shades of meaning.

• Example: "The novel explores the nuanced relationships between the characters."

1. Stakeholder (noun): a person or group that has an interest or concern in something, especially a business.

• Example: "The stakeholders in the project include the investors, employees, and customers."

1. Flexible (adjective): ready and able to change so as to adapt to different circumstances.

• Example: "The new work schedule is flexible and allows employees to choose their hours."

1. Discreet (adjective): careful and circumspect in one's speech or actions, especially in order to keep something confidential or to avoid embarrassment.

• Example: "She made a discreet exit from the party to avoid causing a scene."

1. Supplement (verb): to add an extra element or amount to.

• Example: "The new software update supplements the existing features with additional tools."

1. Engaging (adjective): attractive or pleasing; interesting.

• Example: "The teacher's engaging style made the lesson enjoyable for the students."

1. Temptation (noun): the desire to do something, especially something wrong or unwise.

• Example: "The temptation to check social media during class is often too strong for students."

1. Balanced (adjective): having a state of physical, mental, or emotional equilibrium.

• Example: "A balanced diet is essential for maintaining good health."

1. Prescribe (verb): to lay down authoritatively as a rule or guide.

• Example: "The doctor prescribed a course of antibiotics for the infection."

1. Alter (verb): to change in character or composition, typically in a comparatively small but significant way.

• Example: "The new law will alter the way businesses operate."

1. Enforce (verb): to compel observance of or compliance with (a law, ruling, etc.).

• Example: "The police will enforce the new traffic regulations strictly."

1. Diverse (adjective): showing a great deal of variety; very different.

• Example: "The city has a diverse population with people from many different backgrounds."

1. Root cause (noun): the fundamental reason for a problem or issue.

• Example: "Identifying the root cause of the problem is essential for finding a lasting solution."

Common Mistakes Students Make

1. Vague Descriptions: Many students fail to provide specific details about the rule they dislike, making their answers less compelling and difficult to follow.

1. Lack of Personal Opinion: Some candidates describe the rule but do not clearly state their disagreement or provide reasons for it, which weakens their response.

1. Inadequate Explanation: Students often provide a brief explanation for their disagreement but do not elaborate on why the rule is unreasonable or how it affects them, leading to a lower score in Task Response.

1. Weak Vocabulary: Using basic vocabulary and repeating the same words can make the answer sound monotonous and limit the Lexical Resource score.

1. Poor Grammar: Frequent grammatical errors can make the speech difficult to understand, negatively impacting the Grammatical Range and Accuracy score.

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