Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-08-06

IELTS Writing Task 2 question

In their advertising, businesses nowadays usually emphasise that their products are new in some way. Why is this? Do you think it is a positive or negative development?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Student answer (Band 5.5)

Career success plays a significant role in shaping people's lives. It is often argued that finishing a university degree is the most effective way to secure a good job, while others believe that gaining practical experience and developing soft skills is more important. This essay will explore both sides of arguments, before reaching a logical opinion.

Supporters of university education argue that it brings several benefits. A key reason is that a degree provides theoretical knowledge and technical expertise in a specific field, which leads to employers trusting the candidate's competence for specialized roles. For example, in fields like medicine or engineering, a formal qualification is essential and cannot be replaced by experience alone. Furthermore, universities also provide networking opportunities and access to internships, which can open doors to job offers even before graduation.

On the other hand, opponents believe that practical experience and soft skills raise valid concerns about the value of a degree alone. This is mainly because many companies today prioritize problem-solving ability, communication, and teamwork over academic certificates, which results in candidates without a degree being hired based on their proven abilities. For instance, a country like Germany, where vocational training and apprenticeships are highly valued, has produced a skilled workforce that performs just as well as, or even better than, university graduates in many industries. This shows that hands-on learning can be more effective in preparing individuals for the real demands of the job market, since it develops adaptability and confidence that classroom learning alone cannot offer.

In conclusion, while both perspectives have merit, practical experience and soft skills carry more weight overall, as they equip individuals with the real-world abilities that employers value most in today's competitive job market.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 2.0

The response is completely off-topic. The prompt asks about why businesses emphasize that their products are 'new' and whether this is a positive or negative development. Your essay discusses the merits of university degrees versus practical experience. Because you have failed to address the prompt entirely, the task achievement score is significantly impacted. While the ideas are well-developed in their own right, they do not relate to the specific question asked. To improve, ensure you carefully analyze the prompt's keywords before planning your response.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

Despite the off-topic content, the essay is well-structured. You use clear paragraphing and logical progression. Cohesive devices such as 'Furthermore', 'On the other hand', and 'In conclusion' are used effectively to guide the reader through your argument. The internal logic within the paragraphs is sound, and the ideas flow smoothly from one to the next. If the content had matched the prompt, this would be a high-scoring area for coherence.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary suitable for an academic essay. Phrases like 'theoretical knowledge', 'technical expertise', 'specialized roles', and 'vocational training' show a strong command of language. You use these terms accurately and in appropriate contexts. There are no significant spelling or word-choice errors that impede communication. To reach a higher band, try to incorporate more sophisticated collocations or idiomatic expressions that sound natural in a formal context.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

Your grammar is strong, with a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. You use subordinate clauses effectively, such as in the sentence 'This is mainly because many companies today prioritize problem-solving ability... which results in candidates... being hired'. The punctuation is generally accurate, and the majority of your sentences are error-free. You show good control over complex grammatical forms, which is a positive aspect of your writing style.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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